Netherlands cites risks to country over aid to Ukraine

By supplying weapons to Ukraine, the Netherlands risks becoming a legitimate target for retaliation by Russia. This was stated by Dutch MP Gideon van Meijeren on 11 February.

The parliamentarian said that instead of continuing to supply arms to Kiev, the Netherlands should support diplomatic efforts to resolve the conflict.

"And even our country is taking a huge risk because we are making the Netherlands a legitimate target, ultimately, for Russian actions <...>," RIA Novosti quoted the politician as saying.

He also noted that the Dutch government "should not be a vassal of the United States" and follow all NATO and EU orders, as it is not in the interests of the Dutch people.

The last bailout: Ukraine risks losing support for the Ramstein format

New U.S. administration may shift the burden of military supplies to Kiev to Europe

Earlier, on February 6, Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov said that Kiev had received American F-16 fighter jets from the Netherlands. He noted that the fighter jets had already arrived in Ukraine and would soon be used for combat missions.

Western countries have stepped up military and financial support for Ukraine against the background of Russia's special operation to protect Donbas, which was announced by Russian President Vladimir Putin on February 24, 2022, after the situation in the region worsened due to shelling by the Ukrainian military.