Netherlands pledges artillery funding for Ukraine with security deal signed by Rutte

This announcement came as Rutte and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy signed a 10-year security agreement, marking Rutte as the seventh Western leader to do so in recent months.

Rutte's visit to Kharkiv, a city frequently targeted by Russian airstrikes and situated just 26 miles from the Russian border, underscored the Netherlands' support for Ukraine amid ongoing conflict. The security deal includes 2 billion euros ($2.2 billion) in military aid from the Netherlands for this year, along with additional defense assistance over the next decade.

The funding, totaling 150 million euros ($162 million), will contribute to a Czech initiative aiming to procure 800,000 artillery shells for Ukraine, addressing a critical shortage as Ukrainian forces confront a renewed offensive by Russia in the east. This initiative has raised 250 million euros so far, with the shells expected to significantly bolster Ukraine's dwindling stockpiles.

Rutte's rare visit to Kharkiv featured a tour of an underground classroom designed to protect schoolchildren from missile strikes, where he commended the resilience of the students and teachers. Zelenskiy highlighted the symbolic importance of Rutte's presence in Kharkiv, a city that has endured extensive destruction, including over 20,000 buildings, due to the conflict.

This agreement aligns with similar security pacts signed by other nations, including Canada, Italy, Germany, France, Denmark, and Britain, supporting Ukraine's defense efforts and its aspirations to join NATO.