Dutch PM Rutte signs security deal with Ukraine in Kharkiv

President Volodymyr Zelenskiy and Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte signed a security agreement between their countries on Friday in the frontline city of Kharkiv in Ukraine's northeast. The agreement included 2 billion euros ($2.16 billion) in military aid from the Netherlands this year, as well as other defence assistance over the next ten years, Zelenskiy said on social media platform X.

President Volodymyr Zelenskiy and Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte signed a security agreement between their countries on Friday in the frontline city of Kharkiv in Ukraine's northeast.

The agreement included 2 billion euros ($2.16 billion) in military aid from the Netherlands this year, as well as other defence assistance over the next ten years, Zelenskiy said on social media platform X. The agreement was signed by Rutte during an unannounced visit to Kharkiv, Ukraine's second-largest city, which is only about 42 km (26 miles) from the border with Russia and is regularly attacked by Russian air strikes.

"I am grateful to Prime Minister Rutte for this agreement, which will strengthen the protection of Ukraine, including the city of Kharkiv, where we met today," Zelenskiy said. The Netherlands is the seventh country to sign a 10-year security deal with Kyiv. The agreements are intended to shore up Ukraine's security until it can reach its aim of becoming a member of the Western military alliance, NATO.

Canada, Italy, Germany, France, Denmark, and Britain have signed deals with the Ukraine over the past two months. Andriy Yermak, head of Zelenskiy's office, said that agreements with other countries were being discussed.

In a separate statement on Telegram, Zelenskiy said that more than 20,000 buildings - schools, universities, churches, kindergartens and residential houses - had been destroyed in Kharkiv since the start of Russia's invasion on Feb. 24, 2022. ($1 = 0.9246 euros)