Ukraine and Netherlands sign security agreement in front-line city of Kharkiv

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky and Prime Minister of the Netherlands Mark Rutte held negotiations in narrow, expanded formats and the format of a military cabinet meeting in the northeastern city of Kharkiv.

They also signed an agreement on security cooperation between Ukraine and the Netherlands, Rubryka reports, citing the Office of the President.

The document was signed within the G7 Joint Declaration on supporting Ukraine adopted at the NATO summit in Vilnius. The agreement reaffirms the Netherlands' decision to continue cooperation to provide and expand assistance to Ukraine in defending against Russian aggression for as long as it takes. The document is valid for ten years from the date of its signing.

The agreement mentions that the Netherlands will provide military assistance of €2 billion in 2024 and continue defense support for ten years.

The document contains a powerful military block, which envisages providing Ukraine with modern military equipment and support for the defense industry. The priority is to provide anti-aircraft defense systems, artillery, armored vehicles, and support for naval and long-range capabilities, including the Air Force.

In the non-military field, it includes strengthening assistance to Ukraine in the direction of economic recovery and reconstruction, countering hybrid threats, intelligence, cybersecurity, and information security, combating organized crime, and in the field of critical infrastructure.

The document includes expanded sections on sanctions, compensation for damages, holding the aggressor state accountable, and support from the Netherlands for Ukraine's cultural heritage.

The agreement clearly confirms the Netherlands' support for Ukraine's future membership in the EU and NATO. A mechanism for 24-hour emergency response in case of repeated military aggression against Ukraine has been established.

The President of Ukraine and the Prime Minister of the Netherlands also participated in a meeting of the military cabinet.

Volodymyr Zelensky and Mark Rutte spoke with Minister of Defense Rustem Umierov, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces Oleksandr Syrskyi, and Air Force Commander Mykola Oleshchuk. Representatives of the Ukrainian army briefed them on the current situation on the battlefield and the specifics of Russian air strikes.

They also informed about the critical needs in ammunition, air defense means, and armored vehicles. They separately discussed the air defense needs to protect Kharkiv.

What we know about security agreements with G7 countries

Most bilateral agreements between Ukraine and partners who joined the G7 framework declaration are still being negotiated.

However, on January 12, British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak signed the first finalized agreement between Ukraine and the United Kingdom during a visit to Kyiv.

The agreement between Ukraine and the United Kingdom came as an unpleasant surprise for Russia. The Ukrainian authorities promise even more such surprises for Moscow this year.

Also, Ukraine and Denmark agreed to start negotiations on security commitments under the "Joint Declaration on Supporting Ukraine."

On February 16, Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky and Germany's Chancellor Olaf Scholz signed an agreement on security cooperation between the countries.

Zelensky and French leader Emmanuel Macron signed a bilateral security agreement for Ukraine, which will be valid for ten years.

President Zelensky and Denmark's Prime Minister, Mette Frederiksen, signed an agreement on security cooperation and long-term support between Denmark and Ukraine in Lviv.

President of Ukraine and Prime Minister of Italy Giorgia Meloni signed a bilateral security agreement. The signing took place on the second anniversary of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

Zelensky met with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, who is visiting Ukraine. During the meeting, the leaders signed an agreement on security cooperation between Ukraine and Canada.