Netherlands to send Patriot air defense system to Slovakia

By Abdullah Asiran

ROTTERDAM, Netherlands (AA) - The Netherlands said Tuesday it will send the Patriot air defense system and around 150 troops to Slovakia as Russia’s war on Ukraine continues.

Defense Minister Kajsa Ollongren said after a Cabinet meeting regarding the war that the decision to deploy the system was made “to reinforce the eastern flank of NATO.”

She said that the Netherlands and Germany agreed in principle to provide air defense systems to Slovakia, adding: "This is really important for the direct threat we are currently experiencing."

US defense chief Lloyd Austin ordered the deployment of an additional 500 troops to Europe on Monday to bolster the capabilities of NATO, particularly the eastern flank.

Russia's war on Ukraine, which began Feb. 24, has drawn international condemnation, led to financial sanctions on Moscow and spurred an exodus of global firms from Russia.

The West has also imposed biting export restrictions on key technologies that are now prohibited from being sent to Russia.

At least 406 civilians have been killed and 801 injured in Ukraine since the beginning of the war, according to the UN, which noted that conditions on the ground make it difficult to verify the true number.

About 2 million people have also fled to neighboring countries, said the UN refugee agency said.