Mark Rutte visited Kharkiv in eastern Ukraine near the border with Russia.

The Dutch Prime Minister thus marked the signing of a 10-year security agreement between his country and Ukraine. The Netherlands has become the seventh country cooperating with Kiev within the framework of NATO agreements since last July.

According to the newsukraine website, the agreement includes the provision of 2 billion euros in military aid from the Netherlands in 2024 and continued support for the next 10 years.

The document contains a strong military package, which provides for the provision of modern military equipment and support for the defence industry. Priority is given to air defence, artillery, armored vehicles, support for maritime and long-range capabilities, and in particular, air capability.

In the civilian sector, increased assistance to Ukraine is provided for in:

• economic recovery and reconstruction;
• resistance to hybrid threats;
• intelligence, cyber and information security;
• fight against organized crime and critical infrastructure.

For Ukraine, the supply of ammunition is critical, while aid from the United States is delayed. The Ukrainian Army is expecting a new attack from Russia, specifically in the city of Khasi Yar near Bakhmut.

The Ukrainian headquarters have taken up defensive positions, with Russian forces massing at the site. However, Russian attacks continue in many parts of Ukraine.

Also read: Ukraine – Denmark | Signing of 10-year bilateral Security Agreement