**Netherlands to Boost Ukraine’s Air Defense and Cyber Resilience**
The Netherlands has pledged an extra $23 million to help strengthen Ukraine’s air defense systems and cyber resilience. Dutch Foreign Minister Caspar Veldkamp made the announcement on December 4.
This new support comes after a meeting between Veldkamp and Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha at a NATO-Ukraine Council meeting. Veldkamp emphasized the need for NATO and its allies to take action against third countries that are helping Russia‘s war effort.
**Ukraine Receives More Military Aid**
The Netherlands’ move is part of a broader effort by Western countries to support Ukraine in its defense against Russian aggression. The US, for example, has provided a $725 million weapons package to Ukraine, which includes missiles, artillery shells, and drones.
This support is critical as Ukraine continues to face attacks from Russia. Since February 2022, at least 20,000 Ukrainian children have been abducted from Russian-occupied territories.
**Other Developments**
In other news, Romanian authorities have declassified evidence of a “highly organized” social media campaign backed by a “state actor” to boost pro-Russian presidential candidate Calin Georgescu. Hungary has asked the US for permission to continue importing Russian gas through Gazprombank despite sanctions.
Ukraine’s opposition leader, Nika Gvaramia, was detained by Georgian police on December 4 amid government crackdowns against pro-EU protests in the country. The UK’s National Crime Agency has also dismantled a multibillion-dollar money laundering scheme that has enabled Russian spies and oligarchs to evade sanctions using cryptocurrency.
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