The Netherlands to provide €300 million in aid for Ukraine’s recovery
Ukraine will be given 300 million euros this year and next year from the Netherlands for the reconstruction of the country. The money is meant to be used to restore the power and drinking water supplies, caretaker Prime Minister Dick Schoof and the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Caspar Veldkamp, said on Thursday during an international conference in Rome.
“Russia is not only attempting to bring Ukraine to its knees, but they have also attempted to destroy Ukrainian society and economy over the last three years,” Veldkamp said at the yearly Ukraine Recovery Conference. “Ukraine’s economy and society have to be kept intact. This will help the country in the battle.”
The full-scale war between Russia and Ukraine began on February 24, 2022, when Russian forces launched a multi-pronged invasion into Ukraine from the north, east, and south, marking Europe’s largest land conflict since World War II.
Since then, the war has caused staggering losses. Western intelligence estimates suggest over 500,000 military casualties combined, with Russia possibly suffering more than 200,000 killed and 600,000 wounded, while Ukraine’s military losses are estimated at 60,000–70,000 killed and over 300,000 wounded.
The Cabinet has pledged over half a billion euros in economic aid to Ukraine for 2025 and 2026. Of this, 200 million euros had already been announced. The allocation of the remaining funds has now also been revealed.
This year, 52 million euros will go to restoring the energy infrastructure and water drinking supplies. In addition, 20 million euros will be spent on cyber support to protect the country from digital attacks.
Reporting by ANP and NL Times
