Netherlands concerned US-bought weapons for Ukraine may be diverted to Middle East
The Dutch government and House of Representatives have expressed concern over whether Ukraine will receive the US weapons promised to support its fight against Russia.
As reported by NOS, the concern is that missiles and ammunition for air defence systems may be deployed to the Middle East, where the US and Israel are waging war against Iran.
It was agreed under the Prioritised Ukraine Requirements List (PURL) programme that the US will supply weapons to Ukraine, while European countries will pay for them. During a Q&A session with Foreign Minister Tom Berendsen, GroenLinks-PvdA MP Kati Piri asked how the Netherlands planned to ensure that Kyiv could continue fighting if America shifted its focus to the Middle East.
Berendsen cited NATO saying that Washington has assured them that all weapons already paid for will be delivered to Ukraine. "But that does not mean we are 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 that 2,400 Patriot missiles had already been fired in the Middle East, while annual production capacity stands at only 650 units. Like Minister Berendsen, she said this shows 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 party colleague Henri Bontenbal shares the opinion. He said that they need US support to be able to continue helping Ukraine, and that if Ukraine cannot hold out, the effect would be very bad for Europe too.
Bontenbal said that if Washington sends the promised weapons to the Middle East, the EU should have a "tough conversation" with the White House.
Earlier, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that US weapons intended for Ukraine had not been diverted to the Middle East, although further developments would depend on a number of factors, including the duration of the war in Iran.
On 28 March, 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.