During an official visit to the Ukrainian port city of Odessa, Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte said the Netherlands would provide Ukraine with missiles for Patriot air defense systems to help it defend against Russian airstrikes and financial aid to acquire patrol boats to protect the safe corridor for grain exports.
“This winter Russia will try to damage Ukraine as much as possible. Then the Netherlands will provide additional Patriot missiles, so that Ukraine can defend itself from Russia's barbaric air attacks,” Rutte wrote in a personal tweet.
In the joint press conference he thanked Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky for inviting and welcoming him to Odessa and stressed that the terrible events in Israel and Gaza "will not distract" the Netherlands from Russia's war against Ukraine. Moreover, the Prime Minister of the Netherlands also announced his country's intention to help Ukraine acquire patrol boats.
“The Netherlands will help Ukraine acquire patrol boats that can help keep the shipping route for grain exports safe,” Rutte added, underlining that the Netherlands has allocated 100 million euros to help Ukraine, of of which 60 million euros will go to support Dutch companies that want to participate in the reconstruction of Ukraine.
The aid also includes the supply to Ukraine of the materials necessary for winter preparation and, in particular, the purchase of fuel. Funds are also allocated to help unoccupied territories. The Netherlands will help ensure the safety of merchant ships passing through alternative corridors in the Black Sea.
Zelensky responded to Rutte: “Today we had a busy day in our beautiful city of Odessa, dedicated to global and security issues.” And added: “We are working with partners to adequately protect new export corridors, to strengthen our positions in the Black Sea – this applies to protecting the sky over Odessa and strengthening the fleet, as well as to support humanitarian demining of the.” Russian mines pose a threat to shipping not only in our territorial waters. The Netherlands will help ensure the security of our Black Sea export corridor.”
The Odessa region has been subject to frequent Russian missile and drone attacks, and Zelensky and Rutte visited one of the region's damaged ports together.
