Netherlands pledges to provide Ukraine with Patriot air defense system 

The Netherlands is considering sending Patriot air defense systems to Ukraine, thus joining the US and Germany in strengthening Ukraine's air defense arsenal, which is crucial in the war with Russia. 

Bloomberg reports about this, citing Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte.

In joint remarks with US President Joe Biden in Washington Rutte said “I think that it’s important we join that and I discussed it also this morning with Olaf Scholz of Germany.”

The prime minister added that Russian crimes in Ukraine should not remain unpunished.

“We can never accept that Putin and Russia get away with this, so our accountability is to take them to court, to make sure that this all gets done,” Rutte added.

In recent weeks the United States and Germany have promised to provide Ukraine with Patriot systems, which are highly valued because they can shoot down missiles and have high-tech sensors that help identify what is in the air.

• On December 21, 2022, the United States announced the decision to transfer Patriot air defense systems to Ukraine. The Patriot air defense system is capable of shooting down cruise missiles, short-range ballistic missiles and aircraft at much higher altitudes than the air defense systems previously provided to Ukraine.
• The Air Force said that the Ukrainian Armed Forces will be able to master the Patriot in a few months.
• On January 17, the Ukrainian military arrived at the US Army base in Oklahoma for training to operate the Patriot systems.