News item | 23-02-2024 | 15:33
For almost two years, Ukraine has been defending itself against Russian aggression every day. The Netherlands will continue to support Ukraine for as long as necessary. In this article: an overview of the most important Dutch efforts and support for Ukraine.
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The Netherlands continues to support Ukraine
Russia began its full-scale invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022. A further escalation of the Russian occupation of Crimea and parts of eastern Ukraine in 2014.
In the past two years, Russia has destroyed Ukrainian towns and cities – and devastated the lives of many Ukrainians. Ukrainians are still fighting for their lives and freedom every day. In areas occupied by Russia, millions of Ukrainians suffer the brutality of the Russian occupation.
At the same time, Ukraine is fighting for the freedom and security of all of Europe. Because if Russia is successful in Ukraine, the danger does not stop there. That is also why the Netherlands continues to support Ukraine. It is important that the Netherlands continues to take its responsibility and, together with other countries, does everything it can to support Ukraine. Because there is no alternative. If Ukraine loses the war, the costs for the Netherlands will be many times higher.
Support for Ukraine is also an investment in our own security and prosperity.
Dutch aid for Ukraine
The Netherlands supports Ukraine in several areas:
- Military support: such as equipment and training to Ukrainian soldiers.
- Justice for Ukraine: ensure that war crimes do not go unpunished and that people who have suffered damage from the war receive compensation.
- Sanctions against Russia: to make it more difficult for Russia to finance the war.
- Reconstruction: support to repair damage where it is most needed, such as water pipes, roads, hospitals or electricity networks.
- Humanitarian help: supporting InternationalDutch and Ukrainian organizations in delivering relief supplies, providing drinking water (filters), medicine, food and protection and helping civilian victims.
- Other support: The Netherlands also helps Ukraine, for example, with support for healthcare, psychosocial support for victims, protection against cyber attacks and support for agriculture.
All this support is connected. Because, for example, reconstruction or return of refugees is not possible if Ukraine is not safe. And lasting peace is only possible if war crimes are punished and victims are compensated.
Military support
The Netherlands supports with weapons, training, equipment and other material needed for the Ukrainian troops. In total, the Netherlands has already provided more than €2.63 billion in military support to Ukraine. The Netherlands has reserved an amount of €2 billion for 2024. Read more about military aid to Ukraine.
Justice for Ukraine
Ukraine is currently investigating more than 100,000 registered war crimes in the country, including the destruction of homes and hospitals, murder, rape and child abduction – and the number continues to rise. The Netherlands also wants those responsible for these crimes to be brought to justice.
- The Netherlands has so far sent four missions with forensic experts to Ukraine via the International Criminal Court to investigate war crimes.
- It International Center for the Prosecution of the Crime of Aggression in The Hague is investigating the crime of aggression against Ukraine, with the aim of prosecuting those responsible. The government also remains in favor of and prepared to provide hospitality to an aggression tribunal to be established in The Hague
- The Netherlands provides training and legal support to Ukrainian prosecutors and judges, because most registered war crimes will be tried by Ukraine itself.
- The Damage Register is located in The Hague for registering war damage claims from Ukrainian citizens, companies and governments. This Damage Register still needs to be supplemented with an organization that can ensure that registered claims will be compensated by Russia.
- The Netherlands supports and finances research through the OSCE into tens of thousands of Ukrainian children kidnapped by Russia.
Recovery and reconstruction
Ukraine can only keep up the fight as long as the country remains economically viable. For example, to pay salaries of healthcare workers, police officers and teachers and to repair roads or energy networks, among other things.
- To keep the economy running, the Netherlands provides budget support through the international financial institutions and the European Union.
- The Netherlands supports the business community to contribute to the reconstruction and recovery of Ukraine, especially in the areas in which the Netherlands has knowledge and expertise: agriculture, water and healthcare. There is also export credit insurance to cover the risks of doing business in Ukraine.
- To ensure that Ukrainians do not get left out in the cold, the Netherlands supplies parts for the Ukrainian energy network.
- The Netherlands contributes to the removal of landmines in Ukraine through various organizations. This is currently the country with the most mines in the world.
Sanctions against Russia
The Netherlands, together with all EU countries, has so far adopted 13 sanctions packages against Russia. The purpose of these sanctions: to limit Russia’s ability to continue the war (for example through export restrictions), to make it increasingly difficult for Russia to finance the war – and to put additional pressure on Russia to withdraw from Ukraine. Read more about the usefulness and purpose of sanctions.
Shelter for Ukrainian refugees in the Netherlands
About 6 million Ukrainians live abroad as refugees. About 4 million are refugees in their own country. Since the start of the war in Ukraine, the Netherlands has received more than 100,000 Ukrainian refugees. Read more about the reception of refugees from Ukraine.
What now?
The future of Ukrainians and our future are closely linked. And that is why the Netherlands continues to support Ukraine. Also together with all countries in the European Union (EU). On February 1, 2024, all EU countries agreed on a long-term support package of €50 billion for Ukraine, for the period 2024-2027. In addition, the government has reserved more than €2 billion for 2024 to further support Ukraine.
Ten-year security agreement with Ukraine
The Netherlands will soon conclude a security agreement with Ukraine for the next ten years. This agreement is a signal from the government that the Netherlands wants to support Ukraine for a longer period of time in the areas of security, defense, reconstruction and justice. The Netherlands is thus helping Ukraine to defend itself against Russia.
Conference on Justice for Ukraine
On April 2, the Netherlands, together with Ukraine and the European Commission, will organize an international ministerial conference on justice for Ukraine at the World Forum in The Hague. The aim is to combat impunity and compensate victims. Read more about the conference.