Ukraine and the Netherlands signed a ten-year security agreement

1 March, 2024 President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky and Prime Minister of the Netherlands Mark Rutte. Photo credits: website of the President of Ukraine President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky and Prime Minister of the Netherlands Mark Rutte held a meeting in Kharkiv and signed an agreement on security cooperation between two countries.

This is stated in the statement on the official website of the President of Ukraine. The document was signed as part of the G7's joint declaration of support for Ukraine adopted at the NATO summit in Vilnius. The agreement confirms the decision of the Netherlands to continue cooperation in order to further provide and expand assistance to Ukraine in its defense against Russian aggression for as long as necessary.

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky and Prime Minister of the Netherlands Mark Rutte.

Photo credits: website of the President of Ukraine

The document is valid for ten years from the date of its signing. In particular, the agreement stipulates that the Netherlands will provide EUR2 billion as part of military aid in 2024 and continue defense support over the next 10 years. Priority is given to air defense, artillery, armored vehicles, support for maritime and long-range capabilities, and in particular, the Air Force.

In the non-military sphere, in particular, it is planned to increase aid to Ukraine in the areas of economic recovery and reconstruction, countering hybrid threats, intelligence, cyber and information security, combating serious and organized crime, and critical infrastructure.

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky and Prime Minister of the Netherlands Mark Rutte. Photo credits: website of the President of Ukraine

In addition, the document has expanded blocks on sanctions, compensation for damages and bringing the aggressor state to justice, as well as on the Netherlands' support for Ukraine's cultural heritage. The agreement clearly reaffirms the Netherlands' support for Ukraine's future membership in the EU and NATO.

A mechanism for 24-hour emergency response in the event of repeated military aggression against Ukraine has been defined.

On February 24, Ukraine signed similar security agreements with Italy and Canada, and earlier, on February 22, with Denmark.