The Dutch Defense Ministry has already spent more than 1.2 billion euros on military equipment for Ukraine. This is evident from an overview that the Defense has published of all arms deliveries, for the sake of transparency.
The overview explains what was delivered for that amount. Wares range from minehunters and tanks to entire field kitchens. The government wants to make as many military supplies public as possible. Other countries are also increasingly opting for it, according to Defense Minister Kajsa Ollongren.
“Transparency is well coordinated with international allies”
And that’s good, says VVD deputy Ruben Brekelmans. He argues that the government is not revealing too much about this either. “It’s well coordinated with international allies,” he says. ‘Americans also have such an overview. When you are transparent, you show that you strongly support Ukraine and how broad that support is.’
Battlefield
But, he admits, when deliveries directly applicable to the battlefield are made, those goods do not appear in the overview. “There are reports of things that are not on the list, but that the Netherlands would like to provide,” he continues. (…). “So I expect that from now on other countries will also communicate more transparently.”
He is supported by JA21 Member of Parliament Derk Jan Eppink, who is happy with the transparency. Even if he has questions about the “shopping list”. ‘Because what is left for the Dutch army?’ he says. “We have made decent deliveries to Ukraine and I have heard from senior military personnel that there are doubts about our supplies.”
How long?
Furthermore, Eppink believes the cabinet should ask how long the arms deliveries will continue. Especially since now there is talk of trench warfare around small areas of Ukraine. “Aren’t we now in a situation where we can investigate avenues for negotiations? And are there any countries that can take the lead in this? I think finding a solution is just as important as arms deliveries.’
“Finding a solution is just as important as delivering weapons”
Brekelmans contradicts the claim that Defense granaries are empty. “With every delivery, exactly this consideration is made, if the Netherlands can handle it,” he says. “And at the same time more is expected of defense within NATO.” This is because NATO wants the eastern side of its territory to be strengthened.’
Acquire
For this reason, the purchase of weapons and systems is carefully considered. Brekelmans cites PATRIOT systems as an example. The defense is said to have said it has three fully operational systems, which may lack backup systems. “Compromise is always done,” he says.
Brekelmans also stresses that negotiations should not come at the expense of arms deliveries. “We are constantly considering whether a conversation is possible,” he says, also referring to the grain deal and the prisoner of war exchange. “But when you say that negotiation is more important than arms deliveries, then I also think you should concretely indicate which concession you have in mind.”
It’s not a good foundation
So if Russia says there can be talks only if Ukraine gives up territory and accepts the loss, then there is no good basis for serious talks, according to Brekelmans. “An invitation to negotiate like this is kind of free,” he concludes. “At the same time, I think we should always be looking at what the end game is and how you can get there with as little bloodshed as possible.”
Source: BNR
Fernando Dowling is an author and political journalist who writes for 24 News Globe. He has a deep understanding of the political landscape and a passion for analyzing the latest political trends and news.
