LIVE: Zelenskiy and Dutch Prime Minister Jetten speak after Four Freedoms Awards ceremony

Netherlands invests €248 million in drone co-production

Dutch companies VDL and Greentech Harvest will partner with Ukrainian firms to produce drone systems, marking the first concrete project under a new defense partnership declaration signed by both leaders.

Naval mine hunters to be transferred to Ukraine

The Royal Netherlands Navy will transfer mine-hunting vessels to Ukraine to secure Black Sea shipping routes critical for global food security, with Ukrainian crews already training on the ships.

New partnership recognizes Ukrainian battlefield experience

The defense declaration establishes an equal partnership that integrates Dutch technology with Ukrainian combat expertise to develop modern capabilities benefiting both nations' security.

Ukraine faces critical shortage of anti-ballistic missiles

Zelenskyy emphasized that while Ukrainian forces intercept over 90% of cruise missiles and drones, they lack sufficient anti-ballistic missiles to defend against recent attacks that killed 17 civilians and wounded hundreds.

F-16s operational but interceptor stocks depleted

Despite having F-16s and other air defense systems, Ukraine requires more interceptors and anti-ballistic capabilities to counter daily Russian ballistic missile strikes on cities including Kyiv and Dnipro.

Netherlands refuses to be intimidated by Russian threats

The Dutch Prime Minister dismissed Russian threats against defense companies as standard intimidation tactics, stating the Netherlands will not be deterred from providing full-scale military support to Ukraine.

Sanctions pressure must continue to force negotiations

Both leaders agreed that maintaining economic sanctions is essential to keep pressure on Putin and push Russia toward negotiations for a sustainable and just peace.

EU support package blocked by Hungary

The leaders discussed efforts to unblock the European Union's €50 billion support package for Ukraine, hoping for progress following upcoming Hungarian elections.

Netherlands commits to multi-year military support

The Dutch government confirmed it will continue military aid to Ukraine for as long as necessary, regardless of the conflict's duration or shifting geopolitical attention.

Ukraine proposes bilateral security partnership format

Zelenskyy presented a framework for a special security partnership agreement to formalize long-term defense cooperation between the two countries beyond immediate wartime aid.

EU funds should strengthen both reconstruction and military

Zelenskyy advocated changing the narrative around EU financial support to ensure reconstruction funds also directly strengthen Ukraine's armed forces against ongoing aggression.