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Netherlands wants to deliver Patriot system to Ukraine jointly with partners

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Netherlands wants to deliver Patriot system to Ukraine jointly with partners
Two Patriot launchers deployed at the German Air and Missile Defense Task Force (PATRIOT) contingent are facing east. (Caption edited 2:35 p.m. local time) (Soeren Stache/picture alliance via Getty Images)

The Netherlands wants to deliver an additional Patriot air defense system to Ukraine in the short term in cooperation with other countries, the Dutch Defense Ministry said on May 28.

The country has identified which partners could contribute parts and ammunition from their own stocks and called on them to join the initiative.

Ukraine has been calling on its partners to provide additional air defenses amid intense Russian aerial strikes. Over the weekend, a Russian attack against a supermarket in Kharkiv killed at least 18 civilians and injured dozens more.

"We are engaged in talks with partners to compile a Patriot system, including training for Ukrainian crews," Dutch Defense Minister Kajsa Ollongren said.

"With our offer, and consulting with partner countries providing several key parts and munitions, we can provide Ukraine with at least one fully operational system in a short time frame."

Ukraine operates at least three Patriot systems provided by the U.S., the Netherlands, and Germany, with Berlin recently pledging to deliver a fourth one. The Netherlands did not supply a full system but rather two launchers and other supplies.

Previously, the Netherlands contributed funds to Germany's air defense initiative for Ukraine, which reportedly collected close to 1 billion euros as of May 21.

German FM in Kyiv: Germany’s air defense initiative collects close to 1 billion euros
Upon her arrival, Baerbock underscored Ukraine’s need for air defenses to help repel Russian aerial attacks. “That’s why, together with Defense Minister (Boris) Pistorius, I launched a global initiative for more air defense. Almost a billion euros have now been raised to provide additional support f…
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Martin Fornusek

Senior News Editor

Martin Fornusek is a news editor at the Kyiv Independent. He has previously worked as a news content editor at the media company Newsmatics and is a contributor to Euromaidan Press. He was also volunteering as an editor and translator at the Czech-language version of Ukraïner. Martin studied at Masaryk University in Brno, Czechia, holding a bachelor's degree in security studies and history and a master's degree in conflict and democracy studies.

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