Netherlands concerned US-made weapons bought for Ukraine may be diverted to Middle East
The Dutch government and House of Representatives have expressed concern over whether Ukraine will receive US-made weapons that have been pledged in support of its fight against Russia.
Source: European Pravda, citing NOS, a Dutch public service broadcaster
Details: The concern is that missiles and ammunition for air defence systems may be diverted to the Middle East, where the US and Israel are waging war against Iran.
Under the Prioritised Ukraine Requirements List (PURL) programme, it was agreed that the US would supply weapons to Ukraine and European countries would pay for them. During a Q&A session with Foreign Minister Tom Berendsen, GroenLinks-PvdA MP Kati Piri asked how the Netherlands plans to ensure that Kyiv can continue fighting if America shifts its focus to the Middle East.
Berendsen cited NATO as having said Washington has assured them that all weapons already paid for will be delivered to Ukraine. "But that doesn't mean we're not concerned," he added.
It is currently unclear what the situation is with future deliveries. Moreover, there are already delays in supplies.
This is because the US needs all available air transport capacity for the war against Iran. As a result, weapons and ammunition for Ukraine have to be shipped by sea, which takes longer.
Piri said 2,400 Patriot missiles have already been fired in the Middle East, while annual production capacity stands at only 650. Like Berendsen, she said this demonstrates the need for Europe to work on alternatives to American weapons systems. However, Berendsen stressed that it is important to "keep the US on Europe's eastern flank as well".
His fellow Christian Democrat Henri Bontenbal shares this opinion: "We need US support in order to be able to continue helping Ukraine. If Ukraine can't hold out, there will be very severe consequences for Europe too."
Bontenbal said that if Washington does send the promised weapons to the Middle East, the EU will need to have a "tough conversation" with the White House.
Background:
- Earlier, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that US weapons intended for Ukraine have not been diverted to the Middle East, although further developments will depend on a number of factors, including the duration of the war in Iran.
- On 28 March, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the US is not diverting weapons purchased by NATO countries for Ukraine to the Middle East, but did not rule out that it could happen.
- The issue arose after The Washington Post reported that the Pentagon was considering diverting key military equipment intended for the Ukrainian armed forces to the war with Iran.
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