On April 16, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky visited the Netherlands for an official meeting with Prime Minister Mark Rutte. The two leaders held a press conference following their discussions, which were broadcast by the President’s Office.
During the conference, Rutte emphasized the Netherlands’ commitment to enhancing its partnership with Ukraine, stating that such collaboration would benefit both nations and strengthen Europe as a whole. He announced an investment of €482 million in defense, which will expedite a Ukrainian project focused on drone manufacturing.
“We will invest €482 million in defense. The Ukrainian drone project can commence very quickly due to this funding,” Rutte said.
Zelensky responded by introducing a special agreement format termed the ‘drone deal,’ aimed at enhancing military expertise and defense capabilities, particularly in air defense. He confirmed that a document for the first joint production facility in the Netherlands had been signed.
“This involves not just drones but the comprehensive development of all air defense capabilities: protection against missiles, drones, and advancements in electronic warfare, as well as our joint weapon manufacturing… We have tasked our teams to work out the details. We have just signed documents to initiate this first joint production in the Netherlands,” Zelensky added.
Addressing the issue of air defense missile shortages, Zelensky expressed concern over Ukraine’s need for systems capable of countering Russian ballistic threats. He urged that the United States continue its support for these critical systems.
“I hope that the United States will not cease supplying us with these essential systems. This is crucial for us. We are using European funds, including support from the Netherlands, for these purchases,” he stated.
Zelensky noted that NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte is overseeing the PURL initiative, which is central to this effort.
During his stay, Zelensky also met with King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands to discuss the ongoing Russian attacks on Ukraine and expressed gratitude for the Dutch support over the past four years of conflict.
Prior to his visit to the Netherlands, Zelensky was in Berlin on April 14, where he met with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz. Following their meeting, Merz announced new military aid packages for Ukraine, which will include air defense systems, long-range weapons, drones, and ammunition.
Later that day, Zelensky traveled to Oslo, Norway, for discussions with Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre, where they signed a defense partnership declaration. On April 15, he engaged with Norway’s parliamentary speaker and political leaders to discuss the preparation of the drone deal and the establishment of a Special Tribunal for prosecuting Russian aggression against Ukraine.
Zelensky concluded his trip by visiting Italy, where he met with Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni to finalize details on the security agreement in the drone deal format, as well as holding discussions with Italian President Sergio Mattarella and Defense Minister Guido Crosetto.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's recent visit to the Netherlands focused on strengthening defense collaborations, including a significant investment in drone manufacturing. This trip follows his engagements in Germany, Norway, and Italy, where he secured additional military support and discussed critical defense agreements.