Prime Minister of the Netherlands Mark Rutte said that The Netherlands is ready to buy Patriot air defense systems for Ukraine from countries that are not ready to transfer them to Ukraine free of charge.
— NOELREPORTS 🇪🇺 🇺🇦 (@NOELreports) April 17, 2024
"We can buy it from them, we can deliver it to Ukraine, we have the money… pic.twitter.com/BUO8HdZtHn
Prime Minister of the Netherlands Mark Rutte said that The Netherlands is ready to buy Patriot air defense systems for Ukraine from countries that are not ready to transfer them to Ukraine free of charge.
"We can buy it from them, we can deliver it to Ukraine, we have the money available. It’s crucial," he said on arrival at the EU leaders summit.
The Netherlands itself has 4 Patriot batteries of which 1 in reserve. Asked if The Netherlands could spare an additional system on top of already supplied launchers, Rutte earlier today said to the Dutch press: "Then we fall below the minimum requirements that we must set for our operational readiness and international obligations."
NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg gave short shrift to this argument in Brussels today. After speaking with the Rutte and his counterparts from Denmark and the Czech Republic - three countries at the forefront of military support for Ukraine - Stoltenberg sent a clear message. 'The situation on the battlefield remains extremely difficult. Ukraine needs more help. If allies have to make a choice between meeting NATO goals in terms of military capability and giving support to Ukraine, my message is clear: send more aid to Ukraine.'
