The United States itself has stopped providing military aid to Ukraine, but since last summer, it has been willing to resume supplying weapons if European countries and Canada foot the bill. The Netherlands was the first to sign up for half a billion euros. Six other countries followed, including Canada and Germany. After that, it remained quiet.

NATO allies open their wallets

Until Wednesday. During a NATO meeting of defense ministers in Brussels, according to Rutte,"ally after ally" pledged to open their wallets. The total now stands at twenty countries.

The Secretary-General is not disclosing the amount. Caretaker Minister Ruben Brekelmans (Defense) estimates the sum to be around one billion.

Rutte surprised by support from Southern Europe

De Telegraaf has learned that small sums of around 20 million euros came from Balkan countries. But there was also a pledge of 100 million euros, and Rutte was surprised by"unexpected" support from Southern Europe.

Some allies, due to domestic sensitivities, choose not to publicise their contributions.

Kiev fears horror winter

The new military aid for Ukraine comes not a moment too late. Kiev fears a horrific winter, and Russian despot Vladimir Putin seems unwilling to sign peace treaty. Europe can barely compensate for the loss of American support.

Last summer, aid collapsed, according to an analysis by the German Kiel Institute. Researchers say 43 percent fewer weapons, ammunition, and other war materials were donated in July and August compared to the first half of this year.

Loss of US aid a slap in the face of Ukraine

The figures were disputed on Wednesday by NATO chief Mark Rutte and caretaker Minister Ruben Brekelmans (Defense). But it is clear that the suspension of American donations is a slap in the face to Ukraine.

The United States has crucial equipment that isn't available elsewhere. For example, Patriot air defenses, which can shoot down Russian ballistic missiles.

Astronomical amounts under Biden

These essential weapons are now finally coming to Ukraine thanks to the Purl initiative of US President Donald Trump and our former Prime Minister Rutte. The concept is simple: Ukraine can make a shopping list, the US delivers the supplies quickly, and Europe and Canada foot the bill.

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Trump himself doesn't want to spend American taxpayer money. While his predecessor, President Joe Biden, spent astronomical sums to help Ukraine, the current head of state believes that Europe should be responsible for its own continent's security.

'Reality we are dealing with'

That won't change anytime soon, expects outgoing Minister Ruben Brekelmans (Defense)."This is the reality we're facing now."

But once again, it is the same countries, including the Netherlands and Denmark, that are the first to open their wallets and try to fill the gap left by the lost support.

They've raised $2 billion to buy American weapons. Nothing has come from the"greedy south." But recently, allies have been pressuring each other. Rutte himself says he's made"quite a few phone calls."

Minister Brekelmans (Defense) warns

Brekelmans says he calls on others at every meeting to chip in."I also warn that the costs will only increase if we do nothing," said the VVD minister.

Ukraine is facing its toughest winter yet. Russia is targeting energy infrastructure even more effectively. If the country doesn't get adequate air defenses, even more people may flee. And if Russia breaks through, security risks will increase, and we'll need to invest even more in defense.

Pete Hegseth

On Wednesday, there was a harvest during a meeting of NATO defense ministers in Brussels. US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth watched with satisfaction as one country after another placed multi-million dollar orders with him for American weapons.

The idea is for Europe and Canada to raise $1 billion a month for purchases in the US. This has been achieved so far, thanks to Wednesday's pledges.

Former Fox presenter Hegseth hopes this will strengthen Ukraine enough to force Putin to the negotiating table. Naturally, he lauded his"peace president," Donald Trump, after the Gaza success. He warns Moscow that the United States and its allies will take the necessary steps if the war is not stopped.

Zelensky to White House

“If we must take this step, the United States Department of War stands ready to do our part in a way that only the United States can do,” Hegseth threatens.

Next Friday, Trump will host Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at the White House. The big question is whether the Americans are willing to provide Tomahawk missiles.