Resigning Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte traveled again to Ukraine on Friday where he promised more military equipment to the government of President Volodymyr Zelensky. The Netherlands will help Ukraine obtain four patrol boats and will supply more missiles used for the Patriot air defense system. Rutte also reiterated that the Netherlands continues to support Ukraine.
Rutte has already visited the capital Kiev twice since the outbreak of the war, but this time he only went to Odessa, an important port city in the south on the Black Sea. A lot of important goods are still transported 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.
The Prime Minister expressed his admiration for the strength of the people of Ukraine who are trying to live and work in difficult conditions. He 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 has to be both and and not one over the other.” Both conflicts mainly affect innocent civilians, Rutte said.
“Ukraine is not alone,” the prime minister said. According to him, Russian President Vladimir Putin is counting on support from the West to decrease as the war continues. “Well, he is clearly wrong. A broad coalition of countries is firmly behind Ukraine. And our appointment today is not just a response to Putin. It is a sign of unity.”
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.
