Netherlands

In 2024, we launched 18 new Ukrainian-language audio guides to cultural sites around the world. We also donated hundreds of Ukrainian books to libraries in 8 countries as part of the Ukrainian Bookshelves project.

In Norway, a bus carrying foreign tourists went off the E10 highway and ended up in the water, killing three people. Among the passengers were citizens of 8 countries, 11 people were hospitalized, and the rescue operation is ongoing.

Dutch Foreign Minister Kaspar Veldkamp said that russia's Christmas attacks prove putin's unwillingness to make peace. The Netherlands will continue to support Ukraine in 2025.

EU diplomats are skeptical about the possibility of deploying European peacekeepers in Ukraine without US involvement. The main obstacles are Russia's rejection and the difficulty of convincing the European population.

Due to powerful solar flares and coronal mass ejections, the aurora borealis is expected to be seen on December 25 in the high-latitude regions of the United States. The phenomenon may recur in two weeks due to the return of an active sunspot.

The Center for Assistance to Ukrainian Refugees in Zagreb was founded by the Favbet Foundation team at the beginning of the war. Here, migrants can still receive legal and psychological support, and children can attend educational events and sections.

The European Union is using gas reserves at a record pace due to cold weather and reduced imports. Storage utilization has fallen by 19% since September, reaching 75% in December.

At the Krakivets checkpoint, border guards found a Russian-made icon of the Kazan Mother of God. A 24-year-old man tried to import it from the Netherlands to Kyiv.

The Ministries of Defense of Ukraine and the Netherlands discussed priorities for military assistance for 2025, including air defense, artillery, and defense support. The Netherlands also plans to invest €400 million in the production of UAVs.

Andriy Kostin, who was recently dismissed from the post of Prosecutor General, is to be appointed as Ukraine's ambassador to the Netherlands. This was reported by MP Yaroslav Zheleznyak, who also noted the possible appointment of Malyuska to the Council of Europe.

The Supreme Court of the Netherlands rejected Russia's cassation appeal to cancel the Hague arbitration award on compensation to Naftogaz. The amount of compensation for expropriated assets in Crimea is about $5 billion.

The US State Department has approved the sale of services and equipment for servicing the F-16 to Ukraine. the package includes mission planning systems, technical support and personnel training.

After the fall of the Assad regime and its flight to Russia, European countries have been massively suspending consideration of asylum applications from Syrian citizens. These countries include France, Germany, Britain, Sweden, and others.

Two Dutch F-35 fighter jets intercepted three Russian planes over the Baltic Sea. Among those intercepted were an An-72 transport aircraft, a su-24MR reconnaissance aircraft and an IL-20.

Estonia provided Ukraine with defense support for 542 million euros, which is 1. 4% of the country's GDP. Over the next three years, Estonia will allocate 0.25% of its GDP annually to support Ukraine.

Gas prices in Europe continue to decline due to mild and windy weather. Storm Darrag increased wind power production, which reduced the use of gas for electricity.

In the Netherlands, a 43-year-old engineer from Russia was banned from entering for 20 years for stealing ASML technological secrets. The suspect could sell stolen chip manufacturing data for tens of thousands of euros.

The Russian engineer is suspected of stealing technical documentation for the production of chips in the companies ASML and Mapper Lithography. He was banned from entering the Netherlands for 20 years due to a threat to national security.

In an apartment building in the Hague, a powerful explosion occurred, which claimed the lives of at least five people. Four victims were hospitalized, residents of 40 apartments were evacuated, and the police are looking for a car that quickly left the scene.

Due to the lack of space in Dutch prisons, prisoners will be released 3 days ahead of schedule. Exceptions are persons serving up to 7 days and those who have been imposed a preventive measure.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands announced the allocation of 22 million euros for Ukraine. The funds will be used to develop air defense systems and strengthen cyber resilience.

The MHP Ridgeside program received the highest award of the UN Global Compact in the Peace category. The company has created an ecosystem of support for the military and veterans in 13 regions of Ukraine.

MHP-Hromada charity foundation won a silver award at the Partnership for Sustainability Award 2024 for the project to restore five museums. MHP also received a gold medal for the MHP nearby military support program.

The youth national team of Ukraine got into Group D at Euro 2025, where it will meet with Finland, the Netherlands and Denmark. The team will play its first match on June 12 against Denmark in Presov.

"Doobra farm" from Bohuslav region won two bronze awards at the World Cheese Awards 2024. The company represents Ukraine at the prestigious international cheese competition for the third year in a row.

Georgian Ambassador to the Czech Republic Tem Maisuradze announced her resignation due to the government's decision to suspend the EU accession process. Earlier, the ambassadors to Bulgaria, Italy, the Netherlands and the United States announced their resignations.

Georgia's ambassadors to several EU and US countries are resigning due to the government's decision to suspend the EU accession process until 2028. Among those who resigned are ambassadors to Bulgaria, Italy, the Netherlands and the United States.

A NATO paratrooper training center for the British, American and Dutch military has been opened in the Norwegian city of Serreisa. The new facility will be able to accommodate hundreds of soldiers and strengthen the alliance's presence in the Arctic.

The United States has announced a new package of military assistance to Ukraine worth 7 725 million. Lithuania, the Netherlands, Norway and Luxembourg also provide additional support to the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

As a result of a Russian missile strike on the village of Tsarichanka, 4 people were killed, a residential building and a shop were damaged. Ukraine receives new military aid packages from its allies.