Tom Berendsen, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands

The Netherlands remains one of Ukraine’s most important partners in countering Russian aggression. The country provides military, financial, and humanitarian assistance, supports sanctions against Russia, and actively advocates for achieving a just peace. The Dutch side has repeatedly emphasized that its support for Ukraine will continue for as long as it is needed.

On February 23, the new Dutch government was sworn in and officially began its work. Just a few days after his appointment, the country’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Tom Berendsen, paid his first visit to Ukraine. He noted that Ukraine can continue to rely on comprehensive support. According to him, the Netherlands not only demonstrates solidarity but also seeks ongoing dialogue with the Ukrainian side in order to better understand current needs and determine where assistance can be most effective.

A visit to the United States, the presentation in the Netherlands of the Four Freedoms Award to President Zelensky and the people of Ukraine, support for Ukraine and its European integration course – the minister spoke about all these issues in an exclusive interview with an Ukrinform correspondent in The Hague.

UKRAINE MUST REMAIN IN FOCUS

- First of all, thank you very much for taking the time for this interview. You have a very busy schedule. You have just returned from the United States. The King of the Netherlands, Willem-Alexander, Queen Máxima, and Dutch Prime Minister Rob Jetten met with U.S. President Donald Trump in Washington. You also held a meeting with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio. Could you please tell me about the visit? Whom did you meet with? What important issues were discussed?

- Our transatlantic relationship with the US is very important for our security and prosperity. This visit underlined that strong relationship and provided a valuable opportunity to discuss a range of topics of shared interest in person with our American counterparts. Indeed, the King and Queen and Prime Minister Jetten spoke with President Donald Trump. I had a constructive and productive meeting with Secretary of State Marco Rubio, during which we discussed key issues such as Ukraine, NATO cooperation, Iran and the Strait of Hormuz. I also met with Republican and Democratic members of the House of Representatives for a meaningful exchange on the transatlantic alliance and our shared strategic priorities.

- What was discussed during the visit to the United States in the context of support for Ukraine? What is the current situation regarding arms deliveries to Kyiv, and what role do the Netherlands and Europe currently play in military assistance to Ukraine and in the procurement of weapons?

- The Dutch government stresses in all its international diplomatic contacts that it is crucial to continue support for Ukraine – including military support - and to increase pressure on Russia. So of course, this has also been part of our conversations in Washington. In my talks with Secretary Rubio, I stressed that it’s important to stay focused on Ukraine, and that the EU and the US must continue to work closely together to support Ukraine and work towards a lasting peace deal.

- Last week, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky also arrived in the Netherlands. The President of Ukraine and the Ukrainian people were awarded the international “Four Freedoms Award.” The award was given in recognition of courage and commitment in defending democratic values. The ceremony took place on April 16 in Middelburg. Did you meet with President Zelensky? If so, what did you discuss? Did you congratulate him on receiving the award?

- Due to debates in parliament I was unfortunately unable to meet with President Volodymyr Zelensky this day and congratulate him in person, but our King and Prime Minister have spoken with him. At the heart of this award is the fight for freedom, a fight that your President has been the symbol of for over four years of Russian aggression. Our Prime Minister Rob Jetten awarded President Zelensky the Four Freedom Award – indeed a well-deserved recognition of the courage and resilience of the President and the Ukrainian people in their fight for freedom and democracy.

DUTCH GOVERNMENT RECOGNIZES GEOPOLITICAL NECESSITY OF UKRAINE'S EU MEMBERSHIP

- Just a few days after the appointment of the new government, you made your first visit to Ukraine as Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands. Could you tell me about this visit? What issues were discussed and what was achieved? Which Ukrainian cities did you visit? What impressed you?

- I visited Kyiv in February. It was actually my very first weekend in office. From the moment I arrived, I was deeply moved by the resilience of every Ukrainian I met during that visit. I sat down with minister Sybiha, and together we discussed the importance of a strong Ukraine – on the battlefield, at the negotiating table, and in shaping its own future. We also talked about accountability, through mechanisms such as a Special Tribunal for the Crime of Aggression, the Register of Damage, the International Claims Commission, and efforts to locate and reunite abducted children. And of course, I reaffirmed the Netherlands’ unwavering military, political, financial, and humanitarian support, as well as our commitment to supporting Ukraine on its path toward the EU.

- In the last days of March, the annual "Lviv Conference" took place in the Netherlands, for the second time after the first event in Lviv last year. This year, the event was held in your hometown of Breda. You opened the conference. How do you assess the event and the deepening of bilateral cooperation? What are the current priority areas?

- It was a pleasure to welcome the Ukrainian delegation to my hometown. This year, we chose to build on the foundations laid last year – deepening the themes we explored together and strengthening the relationships that have grown between our civil servants. The topics we focused on include the rule of law, energy, agriculture and social affairs. We organized this conference to reinforce our bilateral ties with Ukraine and to support the country on its reform journey toward EU membership – the Dutch government underlines that Ukraine’s future is in the European Union, and we are committed to assist in Ukraine’s accession path. Beyond focusing on the urgent needs of Ukraine now to fight Russia’s war of aggression, it is equally important that we keep looking ahead – toward Ukraine’s future after the war, with European integration and reconstruction as a part of that. These are the conversations we are having here at the Lviv Conference. It was also very good to also have companies present from both Ukraine and the Netherlands. The Business Forum was a very good addition to the conference. We do this by offering our expertise in the areas I mentioned earlier – helping Ukraine take meaningful steps forward in its EU accession process. At the same time, we remain firmly committed to upholding the standards required for EU membership, because a strong and cohesive EU benefits us all. That said, holding the line on those standards does not mean we cannot extend a helping hand along the way. Like I said, the Lviv conference is also a celebration of the deep and enduring bilateral relationship between our two countries.

- Do you support accelerating negotiations for Ukraine's accession to the EU?

- Ukraine’s future lies within the EU, and that prospect carries enormous importance for the Ukrainian people. Our government takes a realistic perspective on enlargement, recognizing its geopolitical imperative. This is not at odds with the merit-based approach that we adhere to. It is high time to formally open negotiation Cluster 1, followed by the five others, in accordance with the methodology.  The accession process is a careful and thorough one – centered on the Copenhagen criteria and the implementation of rule of law reforms and the fight against corruption. To become a full member, a country must, at the time of accession, uphold the values of the Union and meet all accession conditions. This is the baseline position of the new Dutch government. It is important that we look for ways to maintain momentum in the accession process – including by putting pressure on countries that create bilateral blockades, and by investing in gradual integration. It is essential that this process is both realistic and workable, which is why we offer Ukraine our support wherever we can.

UKRAINE IS ON AN IRREVERSIBLE PATH TO NATO MEMBERSHIP

- Which reforms do you consider key for Ukraine’s progress towards EU membership?

- Rule of law reforms and the fight against corruption are paramount, no concessions can be made. It is important that Ukraine’s anti-corruption institutions will continue to be strengthened. In its latest EU enlargement report, the Commission concluded that Ukraine has made progress across the board. At the same time, the report notes that while the anti-corruption services are delivering increasingly better results, their effectiveness is being undermined. The Commission therefore makes clear recommendations on this – recommendations that we, as the Netherlands, fully endorse. In addition, Ukraine and the Commission have drawn up a ten-point plan to implement rule of law reforms and anti-corruption measures. This is a plan we support wholeheartedly. The Lviv Conference is the perfect forum to point Ukraine toward the reforms that are still needed, while at the same time extending a helping hand to get there.

- What are your thoughts on using frozen Russian assets for Ukraine's reconstruction?

- The war in Ukraine is about the security of all of Europe. That’s why the new Dutch government is continuing the military and financial support on a multi-year basis, and why we would like to keep exploring the use of frozen Russian assets.

- How do you assess the prospects of Ukraine’s future NATO membership?

- Ukraine is on an irreversible path toward NATO membership. We support that journey wherever we can. That said, consensus among all allies is required – and it is clear that such consensus does not yet exist. In the meantime, the Dutch government believes it is all the more important to support Ukraine as best as we can in meeting the necessary conditions. The Netherlands is offering a helping hand wherever possible.

- What would you like to say to Ukrainians - both those who are fighting and those who have found refuge in the Netherlands?

- The courage and resilience of the Ukrainian people are a source of respect and admiration for me. For more than four years now, you have stood firm — fighting back, and never stopping in your efforts to rally other European countries behind your cause. That is something truly remarkable. My heart goes out to all those who have lost loved ones, and my thoughts are with the Ukrainians enduring life under Russian occupation in the temporarily occupied territories — their strength in the face of such hardship does not go unnoticed. Visiting Ukraine in February has left a mark on me. The stories I heard - of loss, of survival, of an unbreakable will to carry on - moved me in ways I did not expect. That spirit reaches far beyond Ukraine’s borders and touches people across Europe. Know that the Netherlands stands with you - steadfastly and sincerely. Because what you are fighting for is bigger. You are standing up for the values and the security of our continent.

Iryna Drabok, The Hague

Photos provided by Ukrinform, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands and International Court of Justice