The Netherlands and Ukraine have agreed a 10-year security treaty which includes deals on medium and long-term military support, defence industry cooperation, support against cyber attacks and help with reconstruction after the war.

Foreign affairs minister Hanke Bruins Slot gave details of the agreement after Friday’s cabinet meeting, saying it is in line with similar deals announced recently by Germany, France and Denmark.

The deals stem from a decision taken at the Nato summit in Vilnius last July. 

“Our own security is closely linked to the security of Ukraine,” Bruins Slot said. “Ukraine must be assured they can count on our support in the longer term. It is also a powerful signal towards Russia: the West is standing firm.”

“Without Western support, the Ukraine we know today will cease to exist,” the minister said. “The Russian threat will grow even closer, and stability and security on our continent will come under serious pressure.”

On Saturday it will be two years since the Russian army invaded neighbouring Ukraine. Since then the Netherlands has provided €2.6 billion work of military aid  and a further €2 billion has been earmarked for Ukraine this year.