Ukraine’s European allies are lining up to take advantage of a new NATO program to pay the U.S. for weapons that can be sent to Ukraine to fight off Russia.
The Netherlands pledged €500 million, the Dutch defense ministry announced Monday.
Following the Dutch announcement, Denmark, Sweden and Norway on Tuesday announced a joint package to support the NATO initiative. The three Scandinavian countries pledged a total of $500 million, with Sweden contributing $275 million, Denmark $90 million and Norway $146 million.
“We welcome the U.S. decision to provide Ukraine with equipment, including ammunition for the Patriot air defense system, and we support NATO’s coordination of this effort,” Swedish Defense Minister Pål Jonson said.
“Speed is absolutely crucial. That is why we will make our contribution available immediately,” Danish Defense Minister Troels Lund Poulsen said, adding that if Kyiv shows “a need for additional funding at a later date,” Copenhagen is willing to look into that as well.
The initiatives follow an agreement made last month at the White House between NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte and U.S. President Donald Trump, setting up the Prioritized Ukraine Requirements List where NATO allies purchase military equipment from U.S. reserves for Kyiv.
The Netherlands was the first country to follow through on the deal.
Rutte said “further significant announcements from other Allies” are expected.
The Dutch package consists of air defense equipment, ammunition and other essential supplies “tailored to Ukraine’s needs.”
“American air defense systems and munitions, in particular, are crucial for Ukraine’s defense. Only by resolutely continuing to support Ukraine can we increase pressure on Russia and counter Russian aggression,” said Dutch Defense Minister Ruben Brekelmans.
The first two Dutch support packages are expected to be delivered this month, with new shipments of equipment to follow every two to three weeks.
NATO has stated that the packages will be prepared “rapidly and issued on a regular basis” through the NATO Security Assistance and Training for Ukraine command in Wiesbaden, Germany.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy thanked Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof and Rutte for their commitment to the initiative.
This article has been updated.
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