The Netherlands will make “a new commitment” with Ukraine for the supply of ammunition. This is to prevent Kiev from running out of butt as fighting escalates, Defense Minister Kajsa Ollongren (D66) said during the NATO summit in Brussels, where allies are meeting to discuss support for Ukraine.
In Brussels, Ukraine urged NATO member states to send more munitions as Russia appears to slowly but surely begin its spring offensive. The question is not a luxury, NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg said in a speech that the Ukrainians are firing more ammunition than the allies can now supply. An extra effort on the part of the allies is needed.
Specific
The promise of new ammunition now comes from the Netherlands. According to Defense Minister Ollongren, the Netherlands can ‘concretely mean something’. He didn’t want to say much more about it. Is that “Ukraine can count on us every day.” The minister also had a message for the defense industry: ‘Produce, and produce more, because that customer exists’.
Train
The Netherlands is also making its contribution regarding Leopard 2 tanks. Not in the form of tanks it leases from Germany, but in the form of knowledge transfer. In Germany Ukrainians are being trained to operate Leopards, Dutch instructors are also training. ‘We contribute our knowledge.’
Dutch support
The Netherlands has now given just over a billion euros in military aid to Ukraine. This includes heavy equipment such as the T-72 tanks which have been delivered to Ukraine together with the Czech Republic and the United States. The Ministry of Defense writes it.
In addition, the Netherlands has donated 100 million euros to the “International Fund for Ukraine”, a fund that finances military equipment for Ukraine that the industry supplies directly to Kiev. Finally, The Hague is contributing €245 million to NATO’s comprehensive assistance package to Ukraine, which funds so-called “non-lethal” items such as fuel, medical supplies, winter equipment and drone jammers.
Follow developments in Ukraine here on our live blog
Source: BNR
Sharon Rock is an author and journalist who writes for 24 News Globe. She has a passion for learning about different cultures and understanding the complexities of the world. With a talent for explaining complex global issues in an accessible and engaging way, Sharon has become a respected voice in the field of world news journalism.
