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Ukraine war
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Ukraine gets ‘badly needed’ US arms under Nato scheme with Netherlands weapons purchase

Dutch officials believe the US$577 million worth of weapons will apply additional pressure on Russia to negotiate and halt its advances in Ukraine

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A US-made MIM-104 Patriot surface-to-air missile is launched during a drill in Taiwan. The Dutch package includes US Patriot missile parts. Photo: AFP
Agence France-Presse
The Netherlands will buy 500 million euros (US$577 million) of US weapons for Ukraine, becoming the first Nato member to fund a full package under a new scheme to speed deliveries from American stockpiles, the defence ministry said.
The purchase will be under the Prioritised Ukraine Requirements List (PURL) mechanism launched by US President Donald Trump and Nato Secretary General Mark Rutte last month.
Under the scheme, countries pay Washington for defence systems and munitions in US warehouses that are then shipped to Ukraine, which has been battling a Russian invasion since February 2022.
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“The Netherlands is now taking the lead in supplying military equipment from American stockpiles,” Dutch Defence Minister Ruben Brekelmans said on social media.

“By supporting Ukraine with determination, we are increasing the pressure on Russia to negotiate.”
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stands in front of a “Patriot” anti-aircraft missile system during his visit to a military training area last year. Photo: dpa
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stands in front of a “Patriot” anti-aircraft missile system during his visit to a military training area last year. Photo: dpa
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky thanked Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof in a call on Monday evening.
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