News item | 22-02-2023 | 10:36
Almost a year ago, Russia’s military invasion of Ukraine began. This war is not only a war against Ukraine, but also against Europe and the Netherlands. Ukraine deserves our support and commitment. What has the Dutch deployment looked like so far? In this article: a number of overviews and stories from the past year.
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Dutch position on war in Ukraine
The Netherlands has a clear message: Russia can stop the war. By withdrawing troops from Ukraine. By stopping the killing, torture and rape of civilians and the destruction of buildings, homes and infrastructure. But it does not appear that Russia wants to withdraw. That is why the Netherlands continues to support Ukraine. And we are imposing strict measures on Russia, together with countries in the European Union (EU).
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Sanctions against Russia
In 2022, the EU adopted a total of 9 sanctions packages against Russia. The purpose of the sanctions: to make it difficult for Russia to fund the war, and to put additional pressure on Russia to withdraw from Ukraine. Read more about the sanctions.
Dutch aid for Ukraine
The Netherlands supports Ukraine. For example, with money for humanitarian aid, reconstruction, aid to victims, and with medicines and goods. Last year, the Netherlands also organized two international conferences for Ukraine: a conference against impunity and a conference on the reconstruction of Ukraine.
Military support and deployment
The Netherlands is supporting Ukraine with weapons, training, equipment and other materials needed for Ukrainian troops to defend themselves. In 2022, the Netherlands provided approximately €1 billion in military aid to Ukraine. The Netherlands also contributes in various ways to strengthening the eastern flank of the NATO treaty area.
Emergency aid, international cooperation and war crimes investigation
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Together with other countries, the Netherlands helps Ukrainians affected by the war. But the Netherlands also contributes in other ways. For example, by funding research into war crimes, to ensure that such acts do not go unpunished. View examples of Dutch support to Ukraine in practice.
Support Ukraine: commitment of the Dutch embassy
The Dutch embassy in Kyiv supports various organizations that can make a big difference in Ukraine. Read more about it in the following articles:
Dutch ambassadors in Russia and Ukraine
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Jennes de Mol, Ambassador to Ukraine. Gilles Beschoor Plug, Ambassador to Russia. Two Dutch ambassadors in the same crisis. But in two completely different realities. In an interview from July 2022, the ambassadors told how they, both experience the war in their own way. Read the article with the two ambassadors. In February 2023 we interviewed Jennes de Mol again.
Reception of Ukrainian refugees in the Netherlands
In 2022, the Netherlands will receive approximately 86,850 Ukrainian refugees. Read more about the reception of refugees from Ukraine.
What now?
The future of Ukrainians and our future are closely linked. The Netherlands will continue to support Ukraine. From military support to basic necessities such as blankets and medicines. From help with demining to help for citizens, companies and the government to rebuild their stricken country. We are not leaving Ukraine alone. For example, the Netherlands has set aside €2.5 billion for 2023 to further support Ukraine.
Research center in The Hague
In 2023 there will be a research center in The Hague that will investigate crimes in Ukraine. Think of attacks on civilians and rape. Ukraine itself has requested that this research center be opened in The Hague, the international city of peace and justice.
At present, the International Criminal Court in The Hague is already investigating war crimes committed in Ukraine, but has no jurisdiction over the crime of aggression committed in and against Ukraine. It is important to close this gap, and thus further our efforts against impunity.
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