Summary:
Minister Ruben Brekelmans gave a speech at the handover ceremony of mine countermeasure vessels in Zeebrugge. The vessels were provided through collaboration between Belgium, the Netherlands, and Ukraine under the Maritime Capability Coalition. The ships will sail to the Black Sea, enhancing Ukraine's maritime security amidst the ongoing war. The aim is to strengthen the Ukrainian navy, safeguard ports, and bolster NATO interoperability. Belgium and the Netherlands will continue supporting the ships financially as they operate from Portsmouth. The vessels will participate in international exercises and contribute to defending Ukraine's sovereignty and economic interests. The speech emphasized the significance of the maritime mission in the context of the ongoing conflict in Ukraine and the broader European security landscape.