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NOS News•today, 12:30•Amended today, 12:36
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Prime Minister Rutte is today visiting Kiev, the capital of Ukraine. With his visit, he mainly wants to show support for the Ukrainian people and the government of President Zelensky, whom he will meet later in the day.
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“Of course we have all seen the photos, but to stand here ourselves…”, said Rutte when visiting the destroyed city of Irpin. “The total opposite of civilization, of decency. That one country invades another country and causes this kind of massive chaos. So many people have died. It’s really terrible.”
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Rutte spoke to the press at a bombed apartment building:
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Rutte visits Irpin, who had been shot to pieces: “This is the reason we continue to help Ukraine”
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It is the first time Rutte has visited Ukraine since the country was attacked by neighboring Russia on February 24. In May Minister Hoekstra of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has already paid a visit to the country.
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In June, French President Macron, German Chancellor Scholz and Italian Prime Minister Draghi visited Kiev to talk with Zelensky.
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172 million in aid
Today, Rutte’s program also includes a visit to the affected suburbs of Kiev: Borodyanka, Butsha and Irpin. This afternoon there will be a press conference with President Zelensky. The conversation will, among other things, be about Dutch support for the country.
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Prior to that conversation, Rutte said that a personal meeting with the president has added value. “Zelensky and I call regularly, but I really wanted to be here myself, so we had more time. But also to be able to see this for myself now.”
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“Also to tell the Netherlands: there is a reason why we help Ukraine. There is a reason that we are also prepared to accept the consequences in the Netherlands. Rising prices, higher energy costs. And you can see that reason behind me here.” , said Rutte, looking at a collapsed apartment building.
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From our own stock
The Netherlands has so far supplied more than 172.7 million euros worth of military goods, such as reported Defense Minister Ollongren recently addressed the House of Representatives. Three additional armored howitzers will be sent to Ukraine, bringing the total to eight. It concerns the heaviest artillery of the Dutch army.
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When asked whether the Netherlands could do more, Rutte replied that the Netherlands is already supplying at the expense of its own stocks. “The Netherlands will also have to replenish stocks, but it is so important that we help here and ensure that Ukraine can defend itself,” said the prime minister. “It doesn’t stop.”
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