The Netherlands will buy 500 million euros ($577 million) of U.S. 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 U.S. president Donald Trump and NATO secretary general Mark Rutte last month.
Under the scheme, countries pay Washington for defence systems and munitions in U.S. warehouses that are then shipped to Ukraine.
The Dutch package includes U.S. Patriot missile parts and other systems tailored to Ukraine’s front-line requirements, according to the defence ministry.
“The Netherlands is now taking the lead in supplying military equipment from American stockpiles,” Dutch defence minister Ruben Brekelmans said on X.
Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky thanked Dutch prime minister Dick Schoof in a call on Monday evening.
While other allies have pledged to join the initiative, the Netherlands is the first to transfer funds.
It has already pledged tanks, drones, ammunition and support for F-16 training and delivery to Ukraine.
Rutte welcomed the move, calling it a vital first step under the new framework. “Great to see the Netherlands taking the lead and funding the first package of U.S. military equipment for Ukraine,” he said on X.
