F16 and Patriot for Kyiv: Newly Appointed Dutch Ministers of Foreign Affairs and Defence Visit Ukraine on First Foreign Trip

Dutch Foreign Minister Сaspar Veldkamp and Dutch Defence Minister Ruben Brekelmans paid their first foreign visit to Ukraine. They met with President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Odesa. He noted that the newly appointed officials made their first foreign visit to Ukraine and thanked the Netherlands for supporting our country from the very beginning of the full-scale Russian aggression.

"The Netherlands has opened very important pages in protecting our lives. This concerns the strengthening of air defence and the supply of F-16 aircraft. I had a very warm phone conversation with the new Prime Minister of the Netherlands. I think we will continue our dialogue during the NATO summit," Zelenskyy said.

The Dutch Foreign Minister noted that the visit to Odesa demonstrates the unwavering support of his government for Ukraine.

"I want to assure you that our further political, economic, and military support for Ukraine will continue," Сaspar Veldkamp said.

The Minister of Defence of the Netherlands stressed the importance of military support for our country, in particular in the supply of F-16 aircraft.

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy emphasised that Ukraine is awaiting the arrival of Dutch F-16 fighters, which will help to secure Ukrainian skies and prevent Russian attacks on Ukrainian cities and communities.