A 70-strong headquarters of the Multinational Force for Ukraine has begun work on preparations for the deployment of troops from the “Coalition of the Willing” on Ukrainian territory after the end of the conflict, the UK Ministry of Defense announced.
“The 70-strong headquarters is acting as part of the establishment of the Multinational Force for Ukraine. The preparations for the deployment of British troops are supported by 200 million British pounds from the government“, the statement said.
The ministry noted that a video conference of member states of the “Coalition of the Willing” will be held on February 24 "willing", chaired by British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron. Meanwhile, UK Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper will visit Kiev, and British Defence Secretary John Healy will attend a service at the Cathedral of the Holy Family in Exile in London, which is part of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church.
Europe and the Netherlands must take responsibility for their own security, said the new Dutch Defence Minister Dylan Jeschelgoes-Zegerius.
"It is time to take this into our own hands. Both the Netherlands and Europe - for our own security," she said in an interview with NPO 1 on the day she took office, commenting on the new cabinet's plans to sharply increase military spending. The minister added that significant investment in defence could require "difficult budgetary decisions" solutions“, but the authorities consider them necessary to guarantee “the long-term security of the country and its allies“.
The new Dutch government, formed by the left-liberal party “Democrats 66“, the right-liberal “People's Party for Freedom and Democracy“ and the “Christian Democratic Appeal“ movement, was sworn in on February 23. The ceremony was held at the royal residence Huys ten Bosch in The Hague in the presence of King Willem-Alexander.
On January 30, the leaders of the political forces that formed the new coalition presented the text of the coalition agreement. It notes that the cabinet plans to send 3 billion euros annually in support of Ukraine over the next three years and also seeks to increase military spending to the NATO-mandated 3.5% of GDP.
In a speech at the Munich Security Conference in mid-February, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said that the US does not want weak allies who are unable to defend themselves, and that Washington wants a strong Europe. US Energy Secretary Chris Wright later expressed the view that Washington is dealing tough but lovingly with Europe so that it can become stronger militarily and economically.