Netherlands Extends Financial Support to Ukraine
During a joint press conference with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Kyiv on October 6, Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof announced a significant financial commitment.
"Today, we are pleased to announce that the Netherlands will allocate €55 million to the World Bank fund "Assistance, Recovery, Reconstruction, and Reforms in Ukraine" to aid your country in its recovery efforts. Your struggle is our struggle, and the future of Ukraine is the future of Europe," — stated the Dutch Prime Minister.
He also emphasized that Europeans have recently witnessed that "the Russian threat is not confined to Ukraine alone."
"Other European nations are facing threats from Russian drones and fighter jets violating their airspace. For some time now, we have been dealing with numerous hybrid threats. No one in Europe can claim that Russian aggression is not our issue or that the war here is solely a conflict between Ukraine and Russia," — added Schoof.
Additionally, he highlighted that Kyiv has offered to share its experience in combating drones with Europe, indicating that "we share an unbreakable bond" and a "common unwavering will to live freely in peace."
"Ukraine must be able to rely on our steadfast support now and in the future. Let me be clear. The Netherlands and its allies stand by your side. Ukrainians have every right to live in freedom and safety in a strong and independent Ukraine," — he asserted.
Schoof also stressed the need to take all possible measures to achieve a just and lasting peace and emphasized that there should be a "continued pressure" on Moscow, including through new sanctions.
In addition, he reminded that since the onset of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine by Russia in 2022, the Netherlands has provided Kyiv with €20.6 billion in financial aid, of which €13.6 billion is military support.
On October 6, Dick Schoof arrived in the Ukrainian capital for an official visit and met with President Volodymyr Zelensky.
