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There is currently no way whatsoever of the Netherlands supplying F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine. “There are no deliveries, there are no requests either,” Prime Minister Rutte said at a joint press conference with French President Macron. He came to The Hague for consultation.
Like Macron, Rutte believes that there are no taboos in supporting Ukraine to win the war with Russia. “But it would really be a very big next step if it comes to that,” Rutte said about supplying fighter jets.
Several Western countries have recently pledged to supply main battle tanks to Kiev. The Leopard 2 tanks that the Netherlands leases from Germany could also go in that direction.
President Zelensky also asked for Western warplanes in a video message last week. Macron and Rutte therefore reacted very cautiously to that cry of the heart tonight.
Good bond
The French president and the Dutch prime minister spoke for about 45 minutes in the Trêves room. Afterwards, they mainly radiated unity and emphasized the good relationship between the two countries. “That bond is extra important, I may say indispensable, because of the war in Ukraine,” said Rutte.
Warm hands were shaken and pats on the back were exchanged by both men. Rutte had reserved a table for his guest in the renowned Indian restaurant De Poentjak, near the Binnenhof.
View Rutte’s kind words here:
Rutte: ‘I was even able to tempt Macron to a rice table’
During the discussion prior to the dinner, two major themes were on the agenda: the increasing migration flow to Europe and the competitive position of European industry against that of the US. The Netherlands and France broadly agree on both, Macron and Rutte emphasized.
Rutte is looking for support in Europe for a stricter migration policy. For example, he wants European border control to improve and asylum seekers to be received in the country where they arrive. “We are in broad agreement on that,” said the prime minister.
Macron said the EU must prevent the asylum system from being abused. “We have to improve the system to keep it.” The subject is also on the agenda of the European Council, the meeting of the heads of government, on 9 February.
Rutte does not expect final decisions to be made there yet. “It is important that we take steps there, but it will not be ready yet.”
Greening
The two countries are also approaching each other about the European response to the US government’s support for greening its own businesses, the Inflation Reduction Act. This may have consequences for the competitive position of European industry.
Macron therefore wants to create a European fund of 380 billion euros as a counterpart. According to Rutte, there is still a lot of money available in all kinds of European pots that should first be used. Still, he also wants to address the “unintended consequences” of US state aid.
