Outgoing Prime Minister Mark Rutte traveled again to Ukraine on Friday, where he promised President Volodymyr Zelensky’s government more military equipment. The Netherlands will help Ukraine acquire four patrol boats and provide it with more missiles used for the Patriot air defense system. Rutte also stressed that the Netherlands continues to support Ukraine.

Ruti had previously visited the capital, Kiev, twice since the outbreak of the war, but this time he only went to Odessa, an important coastal city in the south on the Black Sea. A lot of important goods are still transported from here. Rutte said during a press interview with Zelensky that patrol boats must ensure the continued export of grain abroad. He did not want to provide details about the boats.

Since winter is approaching, and the Russians will do everything in their power to continue hitting Ukraine as hard as possible, the Netherlands will provide them with more Patriot anti-aircraft missiles. Rutte did not want to say anything about the numbers. The Netherlands had previously supplied Germany with the Patriot system to repel Russian air attacks. Missiles are running out due to constant attacks. Other countries are also supplying Patriot missiles to the Ukrainian military. The Netherlands is also introducing a new humanitarian support package.

The Prime Minister expressed his admiration for the strength of the people of Ukraine who are trying to live and work in difficult conditions. He stressed that the Netherlands will continue to support the country, and this is crucial, even when other crises arise elsewhere. He was referring to Israel, which is waging a war with Hamas in Gaza after the bloody attack that occurred last weekend. According to Rutte, the Netherlands will not be distracted by this. “It should be both, not one over the other.” Rutte said both conflicts mainly affect innocent civilians.

“Ukraine is not alone,” the Prime Minister said. According to him, Russian President Vladimir Putin is counting on a decline in support from the West as the war continues. “Well, he’s clearly wrong. There is a broad coalition of countries that stands firmly behind Ukraine. Our appointment today is not just a response to Putin. It is a sign of unity.”

The Netherlands has already supplied Ukraine with military equipment worth more than 2 billion euros. Rutte noted that total Dutch support for the Eastern European country amounts to about 3.7 billion euros.