Resigning Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte has promised the government of Volodymyr Zelensky more military equipment in the Ukrainian port city of Odesa. The Netherlands will help Ukraine obtain four patrol boats and will supply more missiles used for the Patriot air defense system.
Rutte has already visited the capital Kiev twice since the outbreak of the war, but this time he only went to Odesa, an important port city in the south on the Black Sea. A lot of freight transport still takes place from here. The patrol boats must ensure that the export of grain abroad can continue, Rutte said during a press meeting with Zelensky. He did not want to provide details about the boats.
Because winter is approaching “and the Russians will do everything they can to continue to hit Ukraine as hard as possible,” the Netherlands will supply more Patriot anti-aircraft missiles. Rutte did not want to say anything about numbers. The Netherlands previously supplied a Patriot system together with Germany to repel Russian air attacks. Missiles are running out due to the continued attacks. Other countries are also supplying the Ukrainian army with Patriot missiles. The Netherlands is also providing a new humanitarian support package.
“And and, not one over the other”
Rutte emphasized that the Netherlands will “continue to support the country, and this is crucial, even when other crises arise elsewhere.” He was referring to Israel, which is at war with Hamas in Gaza after last weekend’s bloody attack. According to Rutte, the Netherlands will not be distracted by this. “It must be both and and not one over the other.” Both conflicts mainly affect innocent civilians, Rutte said.
The Netherlands has already supplied military equipment to Ukraine worth more than 2 billion euros. In total, Dutch support to the Eastern European country amounts to approximately 3.7 billion euros, Rutte cited.
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