Netherlands

European gas prices rose by 2. 2% due to escalation in the Middle East and fears of supply disruptions. Traders are concerned about stockpiling for the winter, despite well-filled storage facilities.

In the first half of 2024, agricultural trade between Ukraine and the EU increased by 5% to $8. 2 billion. Ukraine's trade surplus remained at $4.3 billion due to increased exports and imports.

The advisor to the head of the OP said that Ukraine would not comment on the information about receiving F-16s. He called it a topic where the 'fog of war' is appropriate, as it should be reflected on the battlefield.

The Times reports that six F-16 fighter jets from the Netherlands have arrived in Ukraine. Several more aircraft are expected to arrive soon from Denmark, although there is no official confirmation of this information.

Ukrainian athletes in the sculls double sculls finished fifth at the Olympics in Paris with a time of 6:23. 05. The UK team won gold, the Netherlands won silver, and Germany won bronze.

The US agreed to equip Ukraine's F-16s with modern weapons, including HARM and AMRAAM missiles. Pilot training and aircraft maintenance remain challenges to the effective use of the fighters.

F-16 fighters will arrive in Ukraine in the coming weeks, but their number will be insufficient to have a significant impact on the course of the fighting. The planes will initially be used primarily to strengthen air defense rather than for ground attacks.

Customs officers in the port of Rotterdam found 3. 2 tons of methamphetamine hidden in sandbags. This is the largest consignment of the drug seized in the history of the Netherlands, with an estimated value of €22.4 million.

The Netherlands and Denmark have purchased 14 Leopard 2A4 tanks for Ukraine. The first 12 are ready for shipment, and all 14 will be delivered simultaneously by the end of the summer to support the Ukrainian army.

Most EU countries have already nominated candidates for the new European Commission. Among them are both new names and current commissioners. The key issues will be EU enlargement and negotiations with Ukraine.

Finance ministers from eight EU countries say Western sanctions have hit the Russian military machine. They call for increased pressure on the Putin regime and support for Ukraine.

German concern Rheinmetall has received an order from Ukraine to build an ammunition plant. Production is scheduled to begin within 24 months, and the project is estimated to cost between 100 and 500 million euros.

The Children's Oncology Center in the Netherlands will receive four children from Kiev's Okhmatdet hospital, which suffered a missile strike in July 2024. Children with cancer will arrive in Utrecht in the coming days.

The Netherlands will continue to make efforts to establish the truth and ensure justice for the downing of flight MH17 as we mark the 10th anniversary of the tragedy that took the lives of 298 innocent people.

The Foreign Minister said that russia will not be able to avoid responsibility for the downing of Malaysia Airlines flight MH17 in 2014, and the entire command staff must be brought to justice.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine has expanded access to consular services abroad by providing 24 institutions in 20 countries with access to the State Register of Civil Status Acts, which will allow Ukrainians to obtain repeat certificates and extracts from the register.

Ukrainian experts have identified foreign components in Russian weapons, and this information is being shared with Western partners to track and block the supply chains of these components to Russia.

The Cabinet of Ministers has allocated UAH 3. 2 billion to the State Service for Special Communications and Information Protection for the purchase of defense equipment.

Ukraine's strikes on targets in Russia must comply with international law, it all depends on the circumstances, said Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen.

Romania will provide Ukraine with a Patriot air defense system and support its security efforts in the Black Sea region under a new bilateral agreement.

The Netherlands will contribute 20 million euros to the Coalition's joint drone development fund to purchase about one million first-person attack drones for the Ukrainian Armed Forces.

The Drone Coalition for Ukraine has created a fund, which has already received more than €45 million in contributions, to help deliver drones quickly.

President Zelenskyy thanked the partners for adopting the Declaration in support of Ukraine's air defense system to protect the population, cities and critical infrastructure from Russian air terror.

The Spanish national football team defeated France. The Spaniards became the first finalists of Euro 2024.

On the instructions of Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba, Deputy Minister Yevhen Perebyinis and 33 heads of diplomatic missions visited the site of the Russian attack on the Okhmatdyt children's hospital to see the aftermath of the attack.

Zelenskyy met with Dutch ministers in Odesa to discuss military aid, including F-16s and air defense support, amid Russian attacks on the city.

New British Defense Secretary John Healey, visiting Odesa, promised to increase military support for Ukraine, including a quarter of a million rounds of ammunition, 90 Brimstone anti-tank missiles, artillery pieces, demining vehicles, boats, bulldozers, and help to produce more shells.

The Netherlands, together with partners, will provide Ukraine with an additional Patriot air defense system, allocate 2 million euros for forensic research and identification of bodies, transfer a forensic laboratory to Ukraine and help return children abducted by Russia.

Newly appointed Dutch Defense Minister Ruben Brekelmans made his first working visit to Ukraine, reaffirming unwavering support for Ukraine's defense against Russian aggression and discussing cooperation in military technology, procurement reform, digital solutions and air defense.

Far-right Dutch and Spanish parties are planning to join Hungarian Prime Minister Orban's new right-wing alliance in the European Parliament, potentially undermining Italian Prime Minister Meloni's power.