The Netherlands signed a security agreement with Ukraine and will send €2B in military aid in 2024.

Prime Minister of the Netherlands, Mark Rutte, came to Kharkiv on March 1 to sign a bilateral security agreement with Ukraine. The agreement provides for €2B in military aid in 2024 and further defense aid over the next 10 years.

The document defines the priorities for assisting in air defense, artillery, naval, and long-range means, particularly emphasizing the strengthening of the Air Force. It also formalizes the Netherlands’ principled position on strengthening sanctions against Russia, forcing it to compensate Ukraine for the damages it has caused and bringing the aggressor to justice. The Netherlands also supports Ukraine’s future EU and NATO membership.

The document also defines the mechanism of a 24-hour emergency response in case of repeated military aggression against Ukraine.

Rutte also announced that the Netherlands would provide Ukraine with 22 military patrol boats, three warships, and at least nine howitzers, as well as allocating a total of €250M to the Czech initiative to purchase ammunition for Ukraine (the Netherlands had previously committed €100M).