Ukraine and Netherlands signed security agreement and NATO responded to Putin's weapon threats - Friday brief

Russian war against Ukraine

• Russia's losses in Ukraine as of March 1: 920 troops and 3 aircraft;
• Russia attacks Ukraine with drones and missiles overnight: Downed targets revealed;
• Ukrainian Armed Forces destroy 319 Russian invaders and 36 equipment units.

Netherlands announces new military aid package for Ukraine

The Netherlands will provide a new package of military aid to Ukraine. It will include boats as well as landing craft. Funds will also be allocated for the purchase of ammunition, according to the Ministry of Defense of the Netherlands.

"The Netherlands is to provide fast and highly maneuverable rubber and patrol boats as well as assault craft to Ukraine. The Netherlands also contributing € 250 million to the Czech initiative to order large numbers of artillery shells for Ukraine in the short term," the statement said.

Ukraine will receive:

• 14 rigid hull inflatable boats (RHIBs);
• 8 militarized river patrol boats;
• CB90 assault craft.

Additionally, it was recently announced that the Netherlands would provide additional assistance in the form of ammunition worth over 100 million euros.

Switzerland joins EU's 13th Russia sanctions package

Switzerland has decided to join the 13th package of European Union sanctions against Russia, according to the Swiss government.

On February 29, the Federal Department of Economics, Education, and Research (EAER), which is responsible for sanctions, decided to introduce additional sanctions against Russia.

Thus, Switzerland has joined the 13th package of European Union sanctions adopted in response to Russia's ongoing military aggression against Ukraine over the past two years.

It is stated that the EAER followed suit on February 29, expanding the Swiss sanctions lists under its jurisdiction to include a further 106 individuals and 88 entities and organizations.

NATO responds to Putin's latest nuclear weapon threats

Representatives of the Russian Federation have been constantly threatening with nuclear weapons for the past two years, but it's about psychological intimidation rather than actual intentions, states NATO Deputy Secretary General Mircea Geoană.

"We have seen such use of nuclear threats by Russian leaders for at least two years since the war in Ukraine began. And this comes from a nuclear superpower like Russia," the statement reads.

According to him, this is extremely irresponsible because, when possessing such weapons, restraint is also necessary. NATO believes that this is part of their arsenal for psychological pressure and intimidation.

Ukraine and Netherlands sign security agreement: Details

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Prime Minister of the Netherlands Mark Rutte signed a bilateral security agreement between Kyiv and Amsterdam, according to the press service of the Office of the President.

During the meeting in Kharkiv, Zelenskyy and Rutte held negotiations in narrow, expanded, and military cabinet formats. In particular, an agreement on cooperation in the security sphere between the countries was signed.

The agreement reinforces Amsterdam's decision to continue collaborating to provide and expand assistance to Ukraine in defense against Russian aggression for as long as necessary.

The document will be valid for ten years from the date of signing.

It also includes the provision of €2 billion in military aid from the Netherlands in 2024 and continued support for the next 10 years.

"The document contains a powerful military block that envisages providing Ukraine with modern military equipment and support for the defense industry. Priority is given to air defense, artillery, armored vehicles, support for maritime and long-range capabilities, and in particular, the Air Force," the press service writes.