And what was the Week of Mark Rutte? “I look back on it very positively.”
It’s Saturday afternoon. Day two of the safety conference in Munich. Just before he has to go on stage, the NATO Secretary General speaks with journalists. Europe saw this week that Trump called Putin about Ukraine and already made concessions with Putin. Europe heard that Europe itself should take care of its defense and to guard any file in Ukraine. And Europe received a public chastisement on democracy and migration from America.
Mark Rutte also saw other developments.
“One, there is a total commitment from America on NATO. But, America says, that is accompanied by an expectation: Europe and Canada are going to spend much more. Secondly, everyone agrees that in Ukraine there must be a peace that is correct and permanent, that Putin will not try again. ”
Rutte also saw that Europe begged for a place at the negotiating table. He didn’t think that was strong. “I thought that was a bit amalty. I would say to the Europeans: fight yourself at the table! By spending more [aan defensie]. And by coming up with proposals. How do we as Europe ensure that the training [van Oekraïense militairen] runs well? How do we ensure that the arms deliveries continue for Ukraine, of course with the help of America? And above all: come up with proposals for security guarantees for Ukraine after a peace agreement.
“The first reaction was: we have to sit at that table. Yes, guys, you have paid too little for years, so you will not be watched so quickly. If Europe only grumbles, we are not sitting at the table, then you are not at the table. “Daddy did not nerve us at the table,” I don’t think so strong. “
Rutte does not want to rule on the fierce speech of vice president JD Vance, who accused Europe, does not accuse Europe. “I don’t have the luxury of commenting on what is said by senior politicians outside the site I am paid for.”
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This article about JD Vance’s speech in Munich
Rutte also found that now the first substance has been descended, Europe is coming into action. On Sunday morning the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the EU in Munich will meet for inserted and behind the scenes, the interpretation of such a peace force has been discussed for a few days. Germany already announced that it was willing to participate and the Netherlands is also quickly moving in that direction.
‘Strong and clear mandate’
The Netherlands has not yet made a concrete offer for the peace force, said Prime Minister Schoof, also in Munich. But the Netherlands is positive about participation. “We are not negative because we understand that Europe should do something here,” he told journalists.
In Munich, Schoof spoke with Trumps special envoy for Ukraine, Keith Kellogg, who is now in Europe to make an inventory of what European countries can deliver. What did they discuss?
“A number of things are extremely important for the Netherlands. In addition to parliamentary approval, the mandate must be really strong and clear. Because if you don’t have good mandates, then you really have a huge problem. And then there is the violence escalation. You can assume that permanent incidents occur at such a limit. And that is why it is very important: what is the backup of America? Because if things get out of hand, we must be able to count on the Americans. The point is that America does not say ‘Europe you’re on your own’. “
Are the US open to such a role?
“I didn’t get the impression that I thought I was just reasing.”
The Netherlands, said Schoof, did not make an offer yet because it is not yet clear what is needed. “If you ask what is necessary in addition to the Ukrainian presence, you will not immediately get a clear answer to that. We also look in Europe, and not just within the EU, which country could be the tractor. “
The Netherlands now contributes to the defense of the Eastern border of NATO. The Netherlands is in Estonia with F-35 combat aircraft and with soldiers in Lithuania. It is possible, said, not being the case that presence in Ukraine is at the expense of the defense of eastern border. “It is a very big issue that we look at each other around that eastern border of Europe.”
Also underlined that in the short term, so while the negotiations on the future of Ukraine are still running, it is of great importance to keep pressure on Russia.
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This article about the new reality for Ukraine
