Dutch pledge one billion euros in extra support for Ukraine

Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte on Friday pledged an additional one billion euros in military support to Ukraine, which he said was being "ravaged daily by Russian aggression."

He also announced 400 million euros in economic support and for repairing energy infrastructure that has again come under attack from Russia in recent days and weeks.

"The Netherlands will release an extra one billion euros for military support this year. That is on top of the two billion euros that had already been agreed," Rutte announced on X, formerly Twitter.

"It has also been decided that we will make three billion euros available for military support for next year," added the outgoing prime minister after talks with Ukrainian President Volodymr Zelensky.

Rutte, who is in pole position to become the next NATO secretary general, concluded his tweet by saying: "Ukraine must win this battle. For their security and ours."

Recent air strikes on Ukraine's energy grid have caused huge blackouts.

On Thursday, Russia pounded Ukraine's energy facilities with around 40 drone attacks, destroying a power station in the Kyiv region.

"Ukraine needs more to protect itself," said Rutte.

"We continue to do everything possible to deliver more ammunition and anti-aircraft defenses faster, together with international partners," he added.

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