Ukraine is urging the Netherlands to fast-track the release of €2 billion ($2.3 billion) in defense aid, calling for the funds to be made available immediately, particularly for bolstering air defense systems.
Andrii Kostin, Ukraine’s ambassador to the Netherlands, appealed to the Dutch government to provide the €2 billion in military assistance ahead of schedule, rather than waiting for future years as previously planned, according to a report by De Volkskrant on Monday, August 31.
The diplomat stressed that Ukraine urgently needs air defense systems to protect against Russian ballistic and hypersonic missile attacks. “We must protect our citizens from the brutal methods Russia is using to wage this war,” Kostin said.
He noted that Russian strikes are increasingly targeting not just military sites and energy facilities, but also civilian infrastructure, including shopping centers, department stores, and other non-military sites.
Kostin argued that resources earmarked for future use should be redirected now to ramp up the production of drone interceptors and strengthen Ukrainian air defenses.
Earlier, the Ministry of Defense of the Netherlands called for boosting production of air defense munitions for Ukraine to help effectively counter Russian missile threats.
The Netherlands has pledged €500 million ($580 million) in aid to Ukraine.
(UAWire)
