Netherlands Becomes First NATO Ally to Fund U.S. Arms Package for Ukraine

The Netherlands has become the first NATO country to contribute funds under a new U.S.-led initiative designed to speed up military aid to Ukraine, committing €500 million to purchase weapons from American stockpiles.

The program, known as the Prioritized Ukraine Requirements List (PURL), was launched on July 14 by U.S. President Donald Trump and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte. It allows NATO allies to finance arms packages drawn directly from U.S. military reserves, ensuring faster delivery of weapons to Ukraine as it defends itself against continued Russian attacks.

The Dutch contribution fully funds one such package, making the Netherlands the first NATO country to execute a complete arms deal under PURL. The aid will include air defense systems, ammunition, and other equipment customized to meet Ukraine’s battlefield needs.

Speaking on the commitment, Dutch Defense Minister Ruben Brekelmans said, “The daily Russian attacks are pure terror, aimed at breaking Ukraine. We, the Netherlands, do not want this to happen and therefore contribute to these American aid packages. American air defense systems and munitions, in particular, are crucial for Ukraine’s defense.”

He emphasized that Ukraine’s security is directly tied to that of Europe and NATO: “Only by continuing to resolutely support Ukraine can we increase the pressure on Russia. The more Russia dominates Ukraine, the greater the threat it can pose to the rest of Europe.”

The new U.S. initiative is designed to supplement—not replace—existing forms of military support for Ukraine. The first two shipments under the PURL scheme are expected to arrive in Ukraine later this month, with follow-up deliveries scheduled every two to three weeks. These rapid shipments are intended to enhance Ukraine’s leverage in any potential future negotiations.

Two weeks ago, during a virtual Ukraine Defense Contact Group meeting, Minister Brekelmans had signaled the Netherlands’ willingness to contribute to the PURL effort. With this move, the Netherlands is delivering on its NATO summit commitments from June, where members agreed to increase defense spending and maintain long-term support for Ukraine.