Zelensky briefs Benelux countries’ foreign ministers on security situation in eastern Ukraine

This was discussed at the meeting of President Zelensky with Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Foreign Affairs, European Affairs, Foreign Trade and the Federal Cultural Institutions of the Kingdom of Belgium Sophie Wilmès, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of the Netherlands Stef Blok and Minister of Foreign and European Affairs of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg Jean Asselborn, the press service of the Head of State informs.

In particular, Zelensky thanked the ministers for starting their visit to Ukraine with a trip to the east on their own initiative.

"I think it's important not to know what is happening there in words, but to see everything with your own eyes. I know that you were in the town of Shchastia in Luhansk region. You saw our attitude towards Donbas. We are investing in infrastructure," he said.

The President stressed that it was important not only to resolve the issue of de-occupation of the temporarily occupied territory of Donetsk and Luhansk regions, but also to make those who live in this territory, cross the contact line, feel human.

He President briefed the ministers in detail on the security situation in Donbas, as well as on the steps Ukraine is taking to achieve peace.

Zelensky also praised the unwavering position of the Benelux countries in support of the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Ukraine, as well as practical assistance in ensuring national security.

In turn, the senior officials of the Benelux countries praised Ukraine's consistent adherence to the truce in Donbas.

As the President's Office notes, in context of the build-up of the Russian Federation's armed forces on the borders of Ukraine, the interlocutors expressed a common opinion on the inadmissibility of such actions, as they pose a threat to European security and stability.

Zelensky called on the Benelux countries to support our country's European integration aspirations, in particular by signing declarations on Ukraine's European prospect.

The meeting participants also discussed the issues of the Crimean Platform. The President confirmed the invitation to the leadership of Belgium, the Netherlands, and Luxembourg to take part in the inaugural summit of the Crimean Platform on August 23-24, 2021 in Kyiv.

As reported, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Belgium Sophie Wilmès, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands Stef Blok, and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Luxembourg Jean Asselborn make a joint working visit to Ukraine. On May 6, they visited the line of contact in Luhansk region to get acquainted with the security situation in the zone of armed conflict in eastern Ukraine.

ol