On 6 October, representatives of Ukraine's Ministry of Strategic Industries and Ministry of Defence met with representatives of the Ministry of Defence and the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Ukraine. The Ukrainian delegation was led by Herman Smetanin, Minister of Strategic Industries, and included his deputies, Anna Gvozdiar and Serhiy Boyev, as well as Oleksandr Balanutsa, Deputy Minister of Defence, and Oleksandr Karasevych, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Ukraine to the Kingdom of the Netherlands. The Dutch delegation was represented by Ruben Brekelmans, Minister of Defence, Onno Eichelsheim, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, and Alle Dorhout, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to Ukraine.

Minister Brekelmans announced the Netherlands will continue to play a pioneering role in supporting Ukraine. 

“I am happy to announce a Drones Action Plan during this visit to Kharkiv and Kyiv. For €400 million we supply advanced drones. For reconnaissance, defence and attack. In addition, we will keep providing ammunition, reserve parts and training to keep weapon systems functioning, such as howitzers, patriots and F-16s. It was good to meet minister Smetanin and his staff to tell him this in person. Our support to Ukraine is unwavering”.

The €400 million mentioned by Minister Brekelmans is the total amount that the Netherlands has allocated from various sources for the supply of unmanned systems to Ukraine. 

During the meeting, the two parties discussed the development of Ukrainian-Dutch cooperation in the defence industry.

Specifically, they explored industrial partnerships between the Netherlands and Ukraine, the creation of conditions for military assistance from the Netherlands to the Ukrainian Armed Forces, the strengthening of future cooperation, and other areas of defence sector collaboration.

“The Kingdom of the Netherlands is one of Ukraine’s strongest supporters on the world stage. We are grateful to your government and people for all the assistance you have already provided, and for continuing that support. We are pleased that our cooperation is expanding into industrial partnerships. We are ready to work with you on projects that will strengthen the defence capabilities of both our countries,” said Herman Smetanin.