New Dutch-Ukrainian agreement boosts defense of critical utilities

The Netherlands and Ukraine have formalised their commitment to enhancing the protection of critical infrastructure with the signing of a memorandum of understanding.

This agreement, which took place in Kyiv, aims to strengthen bilateral cooperation in safeguarding essential infrastructure across Ukraine, Caliber.Az reports, citing Russian media.

According to a statement from the Ministry of Justice and Security of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, the memorandum was signed in the presence of Dutch Minister of Justice David van Wiel and representatives from Ukraine's National Coordination Centre for Counter-Terrorism and Security. The agreement focuses on fostering structural cooperation between the two nations to protect critical infrastructure, particularly in the face of ongoing security challenges.

The signed document outlines key areas of collaboration, including knowledge and experience exchange, as well as shared strategies for identifying threats, assessing risks, and building resilience. In particular, the Netherlands will offer Ukraine assistance in aligning its legislation with European Union standards, an important step towards strengthening Ukraine's infrastructure security framework.

Minister David van Wiel emphasised that the term "critical infrastructure" refers primarily to essential systems such as power plants and water supply systems. These sectors are crucial to the functioning of the nation and require robust protection mechanisms to mitigate risks, particularly in times of crisis.

This move is part of a broader effort by the Netherlands to support Ukraine amidst the ongoing conflict, with Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof announcing earlier in March 2025 that the Netherlands would provide Ukraine with €3.5 billion ($3.8 billion) in government support for the year 2026. This package includes €700 million earmarked specifically for drone production in Ukraine, further cementing the Netherlands' commitment to bolstering Ukraine's defence and security capabilities.

By Tamilla Hasanova