Zelenskyy: Agreement on security cooperation signed between Ukraine, the Netherlands
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Prime Minister of the Netherlands Mark Rutte signed a bilateral agreement on cooperation in security.
The signing of the agreement took place in Kharkiv, Zelenskyy said in his Telegram channel.
"Today Mark Rutte and I signed a bilateral security agreement between Ukraine and the Netherlands," he said.
It is noted that the document provides for EUR 2 billion in military assistance from the Netherlands in 2024, as well as further defense assistance over the next ten years.
The agreement also defines assistance priorities in the areas of air defense, artillery, naval and long-range weapons, with a particular emphasis on strengthening the Air Force of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
The agreement formalizes the Netherlands' principled position to strengthen sanctions against Russia, force it to pay damages and hold the aggressor accountable.
According to the document, the Netherlands also supports Ukraine's future membership in the EU and NATO.
The President of Ukraine thanked the Prime Minister of the Netherlands for signing the agreement, which will strengthen the defense of Ukraine.
As Zelenskyy's press service said, the document also provides for the provision of modern military equipment to Ukraine and support for the defense industry. In particular, the priority is to provide air defense, artillery, and armored vehicles in support of maritime and long-range capabilities.
In the non-military sphere, it is envisaged to strengthen assistance to Ukraine in the area of economic recovery, countering hybrid threats, in the field of intelligence, cyber and information security, in the fight against organized crime, as well as in the field of critical infrastructure.
In addition, the document expands the blocks on sanctions, compensation for damages and bringing the aggressor state to justice, as well as on Dutch support for the cultural heritage of Ukraine.
The agreement defines a 24-hour emergency response mechanism in the event of repeated military aggression against Ukraine.
