Yesilgoz-Zegerius: Netherlands to allocate €10 million for training Ukrainian military personnel

The Netherlands will allocate €10 million to establish and develop training infrastructure for Ukrainian military personnel, Dutch Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense Dilan Yesilgoz-Zegerius told journalists ahead of the EU defense ministers' meeting in Brussels.

"Today, we will announce that we will allocate €10 million for training facilities in Ukraine," she said. According to her, the Netherlands and its allies have already helped train nearly 100,000 Ukrainian military personnel. The new funding will expand opportunities to train military personnel directly in Ukraine.

"Well-trained soldiers have a better chance of surviving on the front line," the minister said. She explained that the funds come from the Dutch Ministry of Defense budget earmarked for assistance to Ukraine, while the €10 million represents a new announcement concerning a specific area of funding.

Yesilgoz-Zegerius also stressed the need for closer cooperation among European countries to address gaps in defense capabilities.

"It is very important that real deliveries follow our agreements and commitments," she said, calling on European countries to cooperate more closely, strengthen their defense industries, and conduct joint procurement. According to her, if each country independently decides how to meet its own needs, existing gaps cannot be addressed effectively. The minister said she intends to raise the issue "more forcefully" at the EU level.

Speaking about support for Ukraine, Yesilgoz-Zegerius noted that the Netherlands is already making a significant contribution, as Ukraine, in her view, is fighting not only for its own security but also for Europe"s security. At the same time, she stressed that European militaries are also gaining valuable experience through their support for Ukraine.

Regarding the EU's ASPIDES operation in the Red Sea and the possibility of expanding countries' participation in ensuring maritime security toward the Strait of Hormuz, the minister said the Netherlands would consider making a further contribution.

According to her, the Dutch frigate Evertsen has already headed toward the Strait of Hormuz, and the Netherlands hopes to contribute at some point to ensuring the safe passage of vessels. However, the country cannot commit to any additional participation in the ASPIDES operation.

The minister separately stressed the need to maintain a US presence both in Europe and the Middle East amid changes to the US military presence in the region.

"We need our allies. We need our American friends in the Middle East as well," she said, adding that the Netherlands would continue to support, among others, the Lebanese armed forces.

Commenting on reports that Israel intends to expel Dutch diplomats from Ramallah, Yesilgoz-Zegerius said the Dutch foreign minister had already described the situation as concerning. According to her, the government intends to determine exactly what the decision means, stressing the importance of maintaining a diplomatic presence and dialogue in the region.