The Dutch cabinet plans to create a special airspace for testing autonomous drones that will fly beyond visual line of sight. The testing ground is expected to become operational after the summer of 2026, with drones taking off from Valkenburg airfield.
The Dutch Ministry of Defense has signed agreements with the Estonian company Milrem and the battery manufacturer Tulip Tech for the joint production of defense equipment. The plant in Born will produce 150 THeMIS combat robots, which will supplement the 15 vehicles already in use by the Ukrainian military.
The European Union has proposed imposing restrictions against three companies that provided fake flags to sanctioned oil tankers of Russia's shadow fleet. These measures are part of a new EU sanctions package currently being discussed among member states.
Ground robotic systems are actively used for evacuating the wounded, logistics, reconnaissance, and engaging the enemy, having transported over 500 tons of cargo in a month.
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy held an energy Staff meeting, where they discussed the energy situation in the regions and the deployment of air defense. He gave clear instructions regarding generation facilities and additional equipment for preparation for winter.
Prime Minister of Ukraine Denys Shmyhal and Prime Minister of the Netherlands Dick Schoof familiarized themselves with the work of a leading Ukrainian manufacturer of unmanned systems. The enterprise serially produces FPV copters and aircraft-type kamikaze drones, having its own design bureau and R&D laboratory with European partners.
Prime Minister of Ukraine Yuliia Svyrydenko and her Dutch counterpart Dick Schoof discussed the protection of energy infrastructure, defense cooperation, and financial support. The parties also considered the use of frozen Russian assets for Ukraine's needs.
The US has unblocked the possibility of purchasing not only missiles but also Patriot systems for Ukraine. President Zelenskyy announced that this depends on the funding of the PURL program, which the Netherlands, Germany, Canada, Sweden, Denmark, and Norway have already joined.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy thanked Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof for his help and support after his visit to Kyiv. During the meeting, issues of defense, pressure on Russia, and political cooperation were discussed.
Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof has expressed support for using frozen Russian assets to provide a loan to Ukraine, despite financial and legal risks. He emphasized the need for risk sharing to enable swift action.
President Zelenskyy stated that Ukraine is approaching a resolution on the use of frozen Russian assets, and the skepticism of partners is decreasing. The funds are planned to be directed towards Ukrainian weapons production, American and European systems, including air defense, as well as social needs of the population.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that Ukraine will be in the European Union, as it is the choice of Ukrainians. He noted that Hungary is slowing down this irreversible process, and Ukraine will appeal to partner countries to change the accession procedure or put pressure on the Hungarian Prime Minister.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that Russia will do everything to prevent Ukraine from extracting its own gas, and it will be difficult to protect everything. He also noted that Ukraine is preparing for gas imports and increasing production to counter the aggressor.
Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof stated the need to create new obstacles or shoot down Russian drones that violate the airspace of European countries. This issue was discussed at the NATO summit, where the Netherlands, along with 7 countries, including Ukraine, are helping Denmark.
President Zelenskyy reported a Russian drone strike on a maternity hospital in Sumy. Fortunately, 35 women and 11 children were in a shelter, so there were no casualties.
Prosecutor General of Ukraine Ruslan Kravchenko, during his visits to London and The Hague, emphasized the need to bring the highest leaders of the Russian Federation to justice for the crime of aggression. He discussed issues of the Special Tribunal, extradition, asset forfeiture, and sanctions circumvention.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof together honored the memory of fallen Ukrainian defenders. Schoof had previously opposed Ukraine's accelerated accession to the EU and called on Putin for negotiations.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy reported that Russian drones and missiles used on October 5 contained over 100,000 foreign-made components. Ukraine expects a systemic decision from this week's meeting of G7 sanctions coordinators.
Next week, a meeting of G7 sanctions coordinators will take place to discuss limiting the supply of foreign components to Russia. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy emphasized that Russian missiles and drones contain critical Western-made components.
The G7+ group held an urgent meeting due to Russian attacks on Ukraine's energy infrastructure. Over 100 representatives from countries and international organizations discussed the consequences of the strikes and the immediate needs for recovery.
The Dutch Supreme Court has ordered the government to reconsider the suspended export license for F-35 fighter jet parts to Israel. The export remains suspended for six weeks until the government completes its review.
Grand Duke Henri of Luxembourg has abdicated after 25 years of reign, transferring power to his 43-year-old son Guillaume. The coronation ceremony will take place today, after which the new Grand Duke will take the oath and meet with the public.
Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof stated that the country does not support accelerating negotiations on Ukraine's accession to the EU by abolishing the unanimity principle. The Netherlands insists on adhering to the Copenhagen criteria and the unanimity principle, believing that changing the rules is not the way for Ukraine and Moldova to join the EU.
A "Shahed" UAV was drawn on one of the Dutch Air Force planes, although other drones flew over Poland in September.
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban may find support in his attempts to hinder Ukraine's accession to the EU, particularly from French President Emmanuel Macron. The proposal by European Council President António Costa to change EU accession rules to circumvent Hungary's resistance is meeting opposition from a number of countries, including France, the Netherlands, and Greece.
Dutch Defense Minister Ruben Brekelmans stated that the deployment of F-35 fighter jets to Poland is a demonstration of the allies' readiness to counter Russian aggression. The Netherlands also plans to send Patriot and NASAMS air defense systems and anti-drone equipment to Poland.
From 2022 to 2025, France, Belgium, Spain, and the Netherlands purchased 34. 3 billion euros worth of liquefied natural gas from Russia, while Ukraine received 21.2 billion euros in aid from them. This Greenpeace study highlights that the reduction in pipeline supplies led to an increase in Russian LNG imports.
President Zelenskyy announced the receipt of funding for 4 aid packages for the purchase of American weapons within the framework of the PURL initiative. The Netherlands, Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Germany, and Canada have contributed a total of over $2 billion.
The European Union must radically transform due to Putin's provocations and Trump's semi-detachment. EU countries are looking for ways to counter the Kremlin's aggressive rhetoric.
Minister of Digital Transformation Mykhailo Fedorov announced the launch of the Ukraine Phoenix Tech Fund with a volume of €50 million. The fund will provide Ukrainian technology companies with capital, strategic support, and access to an international network.
