Zelensky calls on Dutch parliament to force Russia into peace

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has called on the Netherlands to force Russia into peace and punish it with sanctions.

He stated this in his address to the Parliament of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, according to Ukrinform's correspondent in The Hague.

"We have no right to give this war another 36 days. We must all work together to force Russia to seek peace as soon as possible. Hundreds of children were killed, thousands of people were killed, tens of thousands of houses were destroyed, cities and villages were burned. The Russian occupiers rape women in the occupied areas and steal everything they find," Zelensky said.

He also called on the Netherlands to make a decision to give Ukraine the weapons it needs for protection against the aggressor and strengthen sanctions against Russia.

The speech by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky before the Parliament of the Netherlands is a unique event, as the head of a foreign state has never addressed the House of Representatives before.

After his speech, Zelensky was given a standing ovation. Almost everyone present wore a blue and yellow ribbon on their clothes.

Those present at the event included Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte, Foreign Minister Wopke Hoekstra and Defense Minister Kajsa Ollongren, as well as Ukraine's Ambassador to the Netherlands Maksym Kononenko and Dutch Ambassador to Ukraine Jennes de Mol.

At the same time, the far-right party PVV (Party for Freedom), led by Geert Wilders, and the FVD (Forum for Democracy), led by Thierry Baudet, who are occasionally criticized for their pro-Russian views, ignored a speech by Zelensky in the Dutch parliament.

On February 24, Russian President Vladimir Putin announced the beginning of an all-out invasion of Ukraine. Russian troops have been shelling and destroying critical infrastructure, residential areas of Ukrainian cities, towns and villages using artillery, multiple rocket launchers, ballistic missiles and air bombs.

Martial law was imposed in Ukraine and general mobilization was announced. The country is repelling the invaders.

Main photo: President's Office

Photo credit: Iryna Drabok, Ukrinform