Ukraine updates: Zelenskyy and Rutte sign security deal – DW – 03/01/2024

The leaders of Ukraine and the Netherlands signed a security guarantee deal in the northeastern Ukrainian frontline city of Kharkiv.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said in a social media post on X, formerly Twitter, that the document includes €2 billion ($2.16 billion) in military aid from the Netherlands this year, as well as further defense assistance over the next ten years.

“I am grateful to Prime Minister Rutte for this agreement, which will strengthen the protection of Ukraine, including the city of Kharkiv, where we met today,” Zelenskyy said.

“According to the document, the Netherlands also supports Ukraine’s future membership in the EU and NATO,” he added.

Now, Ukraine has security agreements with seven countries: the United Kingdom, Germany, France, Denmark, Canada, Italy and the Netherlands.

Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte said the Netherlands would also donate an additional €150 million to a Czech initiative to buy ammunition for Ukraine from countries around the world, Rutte announced during a visit to Ukraine.

The additional pledge takes the total sum the Netherlands will donate to the initiative to €250 million.