DutchNews.nl - DutchNews.nl brings daily news from The Netherlands in English

13 October 2025
Newsletter Donate Advertise
  • News
  • Life in the Netherlands
  • Jobs
  • Podcast
  • About us
  • Search
  • Home
  • Economy
  • Election 2025
  • Art and culture
  • Sport
  • Europe
  • Society
  • Environment
  • Health
  • Housing
  • Education
  • News
    • Home
    • Economy
    • Election 2025
    • Art and culture
    • Sport
    • Europe
    • Society
    • Environment
    • Health
    • Housing
    • Education
  • Life in the Netherlands
    • Latest
    • Opinion
    • Books
    • Travel
    • 10 Questions
    • Learning Dutch
    • Inburgering with DN
    • Food & Drink
    • Ask us anything
  • Jobs
  • Podcast
  • About us
    • Team
    • Donate
    • Advertise
    • Writing for Dutch News
    • Contact us
    • Privacy
    • Newsletter
  • Search

Rutte pledges Patriot missiles for Ukraine as war enters ‘crucial phase’

January 18, 2023
Mark Rutte with US president Joe Biden in the White House. Photo: ANP/Andrew Caballero-Reynolds
Mark Rutte with US president Joe Biden in the White House. Photo: ANP/Andrew Caballero-Reynolds

The Netherlands ‘intends’ to deliver Patriot missiles to Ukraine along with the US and Germany, prime minister Mark Rutte said after meeting US president Joe Biden in Washington.

Rutte said the weapons were ‘crucial for this phase of the war’ but would not expand on how many missiles might be sent or how quickly. ‘It’s not just about training but about materials as well,’ he said.

‘It’s not just that our values are under heavy fire here, but if Russia is successful in Ukraine it will directly affect our security, so we cannot allow it to happen,’ Rutte said.

The Netherlands has four Patriot missile systems with a range of 60km, which can bring down aircraft flying up to 20,000m above the ground.

Rutte would not say if Biden had agreed any kind of payback for the Dutch contribution to Ukraine. ‘These kinds of conversations aren’t meant to finalise deals, but to make sure the teams keep working together. The feeling on both sides is that we can make further progress after this conversation.’

ASML technology

The two leaders also discussed the export of semiconductor technology by Dutch technology firm ASML to China, which has been a bone of contention between the countries.

The US has imposed tough restrictions on exports of US-made computer chips to China in a bid to hamper its technological and military development, but the Netherlands is reluctant to follow suit because of the impact on ASML’s trade. Sales to China account for around 15% of the Veldhoven-based company’s turnover.

Rutte would not disclose what had been discussed with Biden, but said the talks had taken place in a ‘good atmosphere’. ‘I think that step by step we will be able to reach a good outcome,’ he told Nieuwsuur.

Share this article
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • LinkedIn
  • Reddit
  • Copy URL
Politics
Thank you for donating to DutchNews.nl.

We could not provide the Dutch News service, and keep it free of charge, without the generous support of our readers. Your donations allow us to report on issues you tell us matter, and provide you with a summary of the most important Dutch news each day.

Make a donation
Latest
Show more
Far right march through Amsterdam in anti-immigration protest
Missing Hoofddorp woman is pawn in international drugs conflict
Oranje show finishing power to take big step to World Cup finals
How do Dutch political parties aim to boost spending on defence?
Femke Bol ends 400 metres hurdles career, switches to 800 metres
NewsHomeEconomyElection 2025Art and cultureSportEuropeSocietyEnvironmentHealthHousingEducation
Life in the NetherlandsLatestOpinionBooksTravel10 QuestionsLearning DutchInburgering with DNFood & DrinkAsk us anything
About usTeamDonateAdvertiseWriting for Dutch NewsContact usPrivacyNewsletter
© 2025 DutchNews | Cookie settings

Help us to keep providing you with up-to-date news about this month's Dutch general election.

Our thanks to everyone who donates regularly to Dutch News. It costs money to produce our daily news service, our original features and daily newsletters, and we could not do it without you.

If you have not yet made a donation, or did so a while ago, you can do so via these links

The DutchNews.nl team

Donate now

Dutchnews Survey

Please help us making DutchNews.nl a better read by taking part in a short survey.

Take part now