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The Netherlands is considering whether it could send more Patriot anti-aircraft missiles or parts of them to Ukraine. Arriving at the European summit in Moldova, Prime Minister Mark Rutte said Ukraine’s allies urgently needed to supply the country with more anti-aircraft weapons. He also hopes to persuade other countries to give Ukraine Patriot missiles.

Together with Germany, the Netherlands has already introduced the Patriot system. Holland was responsible for two launchers and a number of missiles. But Russian air strikes on military and civilian targets are ongoing, and air defense is also important to the counter-offensive that Ukraine is planning.

“We’re looking closely at what we can still do,” said Ruti at Moldova’s highest winery farm, just a few kilometers from Ukraine. But “you can’t give your all.” The Netherlands also needs the advanced missiles to monitor its airspace, for example over the port of Rotterdam.

Rutte stressed that the “Patriot coalition” of countries that supply missiles to Ukraine, “we must expand.” “Of course there are more countries that have Patriots and they haven’t been delivered yet.” This will be discussed at the summit of the European Political Community, a forum for nearly fifty European leaders.

The Netherlands leads another “coalition” that wants to help Ukraine with F-16s. Upon his arrival at the summit, he said that the training promised by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to familiarize himself with the warplane had not yet satisfied Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. It is only when they are delivered too.

Rota agrees with Zelensky. Obviously, there has to be a next step at some point. He’s absolutely right about that. But the Netherlands is still discussing this matter with the Allies. Announcing countries will “never work,” Rutte says. (AP)