Zelensky, Jetten sign joint statement
President Volodymyr Zelensky announced that following talks with the Prime Minister of the Netherlands, Rob Jetten, during which a full range of key issues was discussed, a joint statement had been signed.
The Ukrainian President said this during a joint briefing with Jetten in Kyiv, an Ukrinform correspondent reports.
“I informed the Prime Minister about the situation on the battlefield and about the Russian attacks that do not stop for a single day. Therefore, we need stable support every day while this war continues. The Netherlands demonstrates exactly the kind of support that works most effectively – predictable annual funding. We are grateful for this decision – €3 billion every year. The Netherlands is also investing in the PURL initiative, which is critical for us because it allows us to purchase missiles for air defense, primarily PAC-2 and PAC-3. At present, there is no alternative for us,” Zelensky said.
He also noted that Ukraine is already producing weapons together with the Netherlands.
“We have started this cooperation and will definitely continue and expand it. In particular, this is provided for in the joint statement adopted today between our states. We discussed it in detail during the meeting – investments, licensing opportunities, production volumes, everything that is currently a priority,” the President said following the talks.
According to him, during the negotiations with Rob Jetten they also discussed the issue of ensuring justice for Russia’s aggression and strengthening sanctions against Russia’s “shadow fleet.”
“Russia’s war directly depends on Putin’s ability to earn money from oil. That is why it is so important for European countries to stop the movement of tankers carrying Russian oil, which are still numerous in European seas. I know that the Netherlands is developing relevant steps. Perhaps these will include legislative changes. Nevertheless, we must take any steps necessary to block and confiscate the ‘shadow fleet’ and its oil. It is important that all of this works. We have also discussed this with France, with other countries, and with the European Commission. Decisions are needed. The same applies to sanctions against Russia. A 20th sanctions package is needed,” Zelensky stressed.
Regarding justice, he expressed hope that the Special Tribunal for the crime of aggression against Ukraine, located in The Hague, will be “organizationally prepared already this year.”
Separately, the President thanked the Netherlands for its position on allocating €90 billion in support from the European Union.
“We raised this issue today with Robb. This support is irreplaceable for us, and the number of lives we will be able to protect from Russian strikes directly depends on it. It is important that all countries support us,” the Ukrainian President emphasized.
As reported, on March 8 President Volodymyr Zelensky and Dutch Prime Minister Rob Jetten honored fallen Ukrainian defenders near the Wall of Remembrance in Kyiv.
Photo: Office of the President of Ukraine