VideoIf the cabinet decides to supply military goods to Ukraine, it cannot rule out the possibility that Dutch soldiers will also have to travel to Ukraine for this. It is emphasized that “there is no question of deploying military personnel to Ukraine”.
Hanneke Keultjes
Latest update:
00:06
That is what Defense Minister Kajsa Ollongren said in the debate about the threat at the Ukrainian border. “You cannot rule out the possibility that certain types of military goods would require some training,” the D66 minister replied to questions from ChristenUnie MP Don Ceder. “They don’t necessarily have to go to Ukraine, it can also be done remotely. But it cannot be ruled out.”
Last month, Ukraine asked the Netherlands for military support, and the cabinet will make a decision ‘within a few weeks’. Foreign Minister Wopke Hoekstra, who traveled to Kiev with Prime Minister Rutte this week, said the country has made no new requests, including for help with cyber attacks. The Netherlands wants to provide that help. Ollongren could not explain why a request was not forthcoming.
united
The House of Representatives argues for a united international action on Ukraine, but itself appears to be still divided. A majority of the House is in favor of Dutch arms supply to the country or does not want to rule that out, but part of the House believes that the cabinet should work on de-escalation through diplomacy and strong sanctions.
Governmental parties VVD and D66 also opposed each other. D66 MP Sjoerd Sjoerdsma pleaded for a sanction package to ‘tack Putin and his oligarchic clique by the wallet’ by making it impossible, for example, to shop in London and access their Western real estate. He was supported by a majority of the House of Representatives. But according to VVD MP Ruben Brekelmans, D66’s proposal will have ‘zero effect’.
Brekelmans wants the Netherlands to prepare for ‘the worst’ and to help Ukraine with weapons. “When a country is so threatened, it is good to ensure that it can defend itself.” Those weapons must be ‘left over’ at Defense, match what Ukraine is asking and be defensive.
Prime Minister Mark Rutte held a press conference with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Wednesday morning:
Opponent
According to SP MP Jasper van Dijk, there is no distinction at all between ‘defensive’ and ‘offensive’ weapons. “You can also use defensive weapons for an attack,” acknowledged Brekelmans. “You can take off your helmet and hit an opponent in the head.”
A parliamentary majority is in favor of sending weapons or does not want to rule out that option. There are, however, many questions about: what exactly did Ukraine ask for, for example, and can the Netherlands supply it? The ministers could not comment on that. “It is not about a large-scale investment in the Ukrainian army,” Ollongren wanted to say.
According to CDA MP Agnes Mulder, who spoke out in favor of arms deliveries together with the VVD, some of her colleagues estimate the stock rooms of the armed forces ‘too positively’. After all, the defense is struggling with significant shortages. If the Netherlands cannot supply weapons, Brekelmans is also prepared to look at financial support for Ukraine.
We must make one fist against Russia
“We have to make one fist against Russia,” said ChristenUnie MP Don Ceder. At the same time, VVD member Brekelmans called the division in the EU ‘sometimes painful to watch’. Because both within NATO and within the European Union, there are different views on how to tackle the threat at the Ukrainian border. According to Hoekstra, there is still no prospect of agreement in the EU on a sanction package, much to the chagrin of the House.
Both within NATO and within the European Union, there are differing views on how to tackle the threat at the Ukrainian border. For example, the United States and the United Kingdom are already sending plenty of weapons, and France is considering doing the same, but Germany is against arms deliveries. The country did send helmets.
Ollongren tempers expectations Chamber on weapon aid
The arms aid that the Netherlands may give to Ukraine will not be very large, according to Defense Minister Kajsa Ollongren. She said she wanted to temper the expectations of the House of Representatives.
It will not be a ‘big investment’ in the Ukrainian army. “That is not realistic,” according to the minister, given the state of the armed forces. He himself has a great shortage of all kinds of equipment and ammunition.
List
These are also on the inventory of available items that the Ministry of Defense prepared after the Ukrainian request. Just like shrapnel vests and mine-detection equipment. It is unclear whether any weapons are on the list.
However, the cabinet is expanding its contribution to NATO with a frigate, a diving team and a medical team. The units are available if NATO ‘decides to deploy’, ministers Hoekstra and Ollongren wrote to the House today. It was previously announced that the Netherlands is sending two F-35 fighter jets to Bulgaria.
The SP strongly opposes an ‘arms race’. “The Netherlands must lead the way in a diplomatic way out,” said Van Dijk. That came to his disbelief from CDA member Mulder. ,,Do nothing, is that what the SP wants? Shouldn’t you stand next to your friends?” According to PVV MP Raymond de Roon, it will make no difference: “You can threaten left and right, but Russia will not give up Ukraine.”
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