Sweden, Norway and Denmark have promised to give about $500 million to a NATO-run plan to send US-made weapons to Ukraine, including Patriot missiles, to help it defend against Russia.
Last month, US President Donald Trump said the United States would supply weapons to Ukraine, with European countries paying for them. However, he did not give details on how the plan would work.
Norwegian Defence Minister Tore O. Sandvik said in a statement, “With this contribution, we want to ensure that Ukraine quickly receives the equipment it needs, while strengthening NATO cooperation on Ukraine’s defence and securing peace on Ukrainian terms.”
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Danish Defence Minister Troels Lund Poulsen said the funds would be available immediately. “Speed is absolutely critical,” he said, adding that Denmark may provide more money later.
Denmark is contributing about $90 million. Norway is giving around 1.5 billion Norwegian crowns, which is roughly $146 million.
Sweden is contributing $275 million. The Swedish government said the package includes Patriot air defence systems, anti-tank weapons, and other military equipment.
Swedish Deputy Prime Minister Ebba Busch said, according to Reuters, “Continued supply of this kind of American defence materiel, which Europe can’t deliver in sufficient quantity, is decisive for Ukraine’s defence capability.”
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NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte thanked the three countries for their quick decision to support the package.
NATO is coordinating the initiative through its Prioritised Ukraine Requirements List (PURL). The programme is funded by European NATO members and Canada and will be split into packages worth around $500 million each.
Reuters reported that the Netherlands was the first country to join the effort, announcing a contribution of 500 million euros on Monday.
According to Sweden’s government website, the country had donated 92.8 billion Swedish crowns to Ukraine by the end of March this year.
(With inputs from Reuters)
