PRESS RELEASE : President of Ukraine met with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands [November 2022]
The press release issued by the President of Ukraine on 15 November 2022.
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of the Netherlands Wopke Hoekstra who is on a visit to Kyiv.
The Head of State highly appreciated the consistent support for Ukraine from the government of the Netherlands and the personal efforts of Prime Minister Mark Rutte to counter Russian aggression.
“We thank the Netherlands for understanding the conditions in which our people live today and what Ukrainians are fighting for,” said Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
He thanked for the recent decisions of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to provide additional security assistance to Ukraine, as well as a separate support package for preparing for the winter period.
The Head of State emphasized the importance of the liberation of Kherson for the further de-occupation of all territories of Ukraine illegally seized by Russia.
The interlocutors discussed additional specific measures of support from the Netherlands to strengthen the defense capabilities of our country and successfully counter the aggressor.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy emphasized that the Russian Federation continues missile terror against the population of Ukraine and the destruction of energy infrastructure. He noted the importance of creating an air shield over our country to protect against Russian missile attacks. It was stated that in the conditions of approaching winter, Ukraine is counting on prompt receipt of assistance from partners for the restoration of damaged infrastructure and stable electricity supply.
During the meeting, there was also an exchange of views regarding the involvement of the Netherlands in the reconstruction of the de-occupied territories of Ukraine. The Head of State thanked for the initiatives of the government of the Kingdom of the Netherlands aimed at attracting companies from this country to the reconstruction process. He emphasized the great need to restore infrastructure in the liberated territories of the Kherson region and expressed hope that the Netherlands will be able to take the lead in rebuilding this promising region.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy noted that despite the continuation of armed aggression, Ukraine is ready to make a concrete contribution to global food security. Hope was expressed that the Netherlands would support a new Ukrainian initiative to supply grain to African countries suffering from hunger.
“Helping those suffering from hunger today is an effective response to Russia’s attempts to repeat the genocide in the XXI century. And also a reminder to humanity of the lessons of the Holodomor of 1932-1933 in Ukraine,” the President emphasized.
The interlocutors discussed topical issues of European and Euro-Atlantic integration of Ukraine, as well as support from the Netherlands in promoting our country’s initiatives within the UN, in particular, regarding holding Russia accountable for crimes committed.
The President of Ukraine presented the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands with the Order of Prince Yaroslav the Wise of the III degree, which was awarded to him for significant personal merits in strengthening interstate cooperation and supporting the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine.
