Debate on fighter jets for Ukraine should be held behind closed doors - Dutch PM Rutte

Prime Minister of the Netherlands Mark Rutte said this before the EU summit in Brussels on February 9.

“Such decisions should be made behind closed doors, as it used to be with howitzers and tanks, because there are many sensitive issues that need to be discussed. It is necessary to ensure that we do not fall under NATO Article 5, into a direct confrontation between NATO and Russia. And only when decisions are made can they be communicated to the world,” Rutte said.

Answering a question about tanks, the politician noted that a “loud announcement” had recently been made by Germany, Denmark and the Netherlands regarding Leopard 1. As a reminder, these countries announced the transfer of 100 of these tanks to Ukraine.

Rutte emphasized that Leopard 2 is “a different coalition” and the Netherlands is ready to join it if necessary, but only by purchasing these tanks and supplying them to Ukraine, as the state currently has Leopard 2 only on lease.

“We can purchase and deliver, but we need to discuss this with our partners. Perhaps our Leopard 2s would be more appropriate to use in Lithuania or elsewhere, the discussion is ongoing,” Rutte said.

• On February 9, Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki said that his country was ready to provide Ukraine with modern fighter jets, but NATO member states having more of them should do it first.

• At the end of January, former Pentagon chief Mark Esper called on the United States to provide Ukraine with fighter jets and long-range missiles as soon as possible.