Dutch government pledged nearly $2.7 billion to Ukraine for next year

(Patria) - The Netherlands announced on Tuesday that it will support Ukraine in 2024 with an allocation of 2.5 billion euros, as the 21-month war drags into another winter and concerns grow that Kyiv's war effort might falter without continued Western support, AP reported.

Dutch Foreign Minister Hanke Bruins Slot announced the aid during a visit to Ukraine.

"Rest assured of our support," she said at a news conference after meeting with her Ukrainian counterpart Dmytro Kuleba.

"Your security is our security," she added.

Bruins Slot said her country opened an F-16 training center in Romania on November 13 and is working with the United States, Denmark and other countries so that Ukraine can receive fighter jets as soon as possible.

She added that she also touched upon Ukraine's aspirations to become a member of the European Union at the meeting:

"Your future is with us," she said.

Kuleba said that while media attention is focused on conflicts in the Middle East, "political attention" has not shifted away from Ukraine. He said last week's NATO ministerial meeting was positive and that "the overall mood in the room was that support will continue, and even increase".

"I also do not see a decrease in partners' support when it comes to deliveries of weapons and ammunition. Things are proceeding according to plan," Kuleba said.

The Biden administration wants Congress to approve the White House's funding request of nearly $106 billion for the wars in Ukraine and Israel and other security needs. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy was scheduled to address US senators via video link on Tuesday, but had to cancel his appearance, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said.