News item | 24-02-2025 | 16:18
The Netherlands is next to Ukraine in the fight for freedom and security. These are the words of commander of the armed forces (CDS) General Onno Eichelsheim. He spoke today in The Hague during the memorial concert of the Royal Military Chapel ‘Johan Willem Friso’. He provided the performance together with the Ukrainian-Dutch soloist Oleg Lysenko. The event was intended to reflect on the large -scale Russian invasion of Ukraine, exactly 3 years ago.
Eichelsheim: “We realize that a safe Europe is not self -evident and must be fought. We cannot only leave that battle to Ukraine.”
Putin thought he would win this war in 3 days, but the Ukrainians are still standing
Eichelsheim praised the perseverance of the people and the soldiers. The CDS said that Defense continues to assist the country where possible, so that Ukraine can continue to fight for a free future.
Defense supports Ukraine with equipment and many dozens of training courses. In addition, the Royal Netherlands Marechaussee in Ukraine conducted research on war crimes several times. Defense also provides medical help. This way the Ukrainian military Illia could be helped. He lost both legs through a grenade. Illia is rehabilitating in Doorn. He learns to walk again with a prosthesis.
Brothers in Arms
The collaboration with Ukrainians is affecting Dutch soldiers. They are motivated to the bone to give them valuable lessons and training.
“I want to be able to look straight into the mirror in the knowledge that I have done everything for these men.” For example, Eichelsheim quoted Marine instructor Roel.
Fellow soldier and instructor Rutger left out of loyalty to his Ukrainian ‘Brothers in Arms‘ Even tattooing a text on his body. With the text: ‘Brât’, the Ukrainian word for brothers, Eichelsheim knows.
The war also provides valuable lessons for the Dutch armed forces, the general said. He quotes Sergeant Thies, who also trained Ukrainians:
“They sometimes tell us that certain procedures do not work. They experienced that after the sustainable injuries.”
Sustainable safety
Eichelsheim emphasized that freedom is not only the absence of war, but also the absence of daily threat and sustainable safety:
In the Netherlands we get up with that freedom every day, while in Ukraine you fight for that freedom day and night. We are next to you.
During the concert the visitor was taken to 3 years of conflict in Ukraine. With both sad, worthy and powerful music, Defense and the municipality of The Hague want to support Ukrainians all over the world.