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the goals of the European Defense Industrial Strategy (EDIS). As reported by the Ministry of Strategic Industries, the strategy proposes that the Ukrainian industry can participate in the EU program to support the defense industry. Ukraine can participate in joint purchases, and Ukrainian defense companies will be supported as they build their capacities and cooperation with European industry. The agreement also stimulates collaboration between Ukrainian and European industries and the exchange of information regarding standards and experience. The EU will hold the EU-Ukraine Defense Industry Forum in 2024 to strengthen this cooperation. Also, the EU will open an Innovation Office in Kyiv to ensure interaction between EU startups, innovators, industry, and the Armed Forces of Ukraine. The strategy is accompanied by the Defense Industry Program (EDIP). The document must be agreed upon by the European Parliament and the Council of the EU.
The Netherlands signed a security agreement with Ukraine and will send €2B in military aid in 2024. Prime Minister of the Netherlands, Mark Rutte, came to Kharkiv on March 1 to sign a bilateral security agreement with Ukraine. The agreement provides for €2B in military aid in 2024 and further defense aid over the next 10 years. The document defines the priorities for assisting in air defense, artillery, naval, and long-range means, particularly emphasizing the strengthening of the Air Force. It also formalizes the Netherlands’ principled position on strengthening sanctions against Russia, forcing it to compensate Ukraine for the damages it has caused and bringing the aggressor to justice. The Netherlands also supports Ukraine's future EU and NATO membership. The document also defines the mechanism of a 24-hour emergency response in case of repeated military aggression against Ukraine. Rutte also announced that the Netherlands would provide Ukraine with 22 military patrol boats, three warships, and at least nine howitzers, as well as allocating a total of €250M to the Czech initiative to purchase ammunition for Ukraine (the Netherlands had previously committed €100M).
Ukraine, Spain start talks on security guarantees. Ukraine and Spain began negotiations on a bilateral agreement on security guarantees under the Group of Seven (G7) Joint Declaration of Support for Ukraine, the Presidential Office reported on March 4.
Five NATO countries are considering sending troops to Ukraine. Prime Minister of Estonia Kaia Kallas, commenting on French President Emmanuel Macron's statement that EU countries may do so in the near future, said that the Estonian government is considering all possibilities, without exception, to help Ukraine. Lithuanian officials are also considering sending their military to Ukraine to train its troops, presidential adviser Kyastutis Budris said, noting that giving support with weapons and ammunition remains a priority. The Netherlands is considering sending soldiers to Ukraine, but "it is not yet time" for this, said General Onno Eichelsheim, the head of defense of the Netherlands. Britain has no plans for a large-scale deployment of troops in Ukraine, said Prime Minister Rishi Sunak's representative, but a few British soldiers are already stationed there. Canada's Minister of Defense, Bill Blair, has allowed Canadian instructors to return to Ukraine to train Ukrainian soldiers under certain conditions. However, even earlier, Blair ruled out the possibility of deploying combat units in Ukraine.
Russian court says it confiscated assets allegedly linked to oligarch Kolomoisky. The court claimed Kolomoisky is a member of the British mining company JKX Oil & Gas Limited, which it labeled as a part of an "extremist
15 UKRAINE Country Report April 2024 www.intellinews.com