The Foreign Minister of the Netherlands, Caspar Veldkamp, announced that his country will provide a new support package of 3.5 billion euros to Ukraine for military and civilian use. Veldkamp, shared a post from his Ukrainian counterpart Andrii Sybiha condemning Russia for the airstrike by the Russian army in the city of Dobropillya. The Dutch Minister stated, “Russia’s aggression knows no bounds. More assistance is urgently needed to protect Ukraine’s people and critical infrastructure.” Veldkamp mentioned that the Netherlands will allocate an additional 3.5 billion euros for military and civil support to Ukraine, stating, “The only way to peace is through empowerment.”

Ministers were surprised at the new package. Following an extraordinary summit on Wednesday where EU leaders gathered amid concerns about the war in Ukraine and European security due to the approach of the Donald Trump administration, the Prime Minister of the Netherlands, Dick Schoof, had pledged to provide Ukraine with a 3.5 billion euro aid package. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Health, Welfare, and Sport, Fleur Agema, stated to the Dutch press that Prime Minister Schoof was unaware of the 3.5 billion euro commitment to Ukraine, calling it a surprise. She mentioned that they would have a serious discussion on the matter together.

During discussions in the Dutch Parliament regarding the government’s decision to continue supporting Ukraine with 3.5 billion euros, far-right leader Geert Wilders noted that a unconditional agreement could not be reached and this issue was not part of the coalition agreement. Schoof, during his weekly press briefing yesterday, evaluated the debates on the new 3.5 billion euros aid package for Ukraine as a good discussion. He emphasized, “3.5 billion euros is committed.”