Hoekstra acknowledged that EU member states are not yet in agreement on what a sanctions package should look like, but expressed optimism that agreement will be reached. He contested that the Netherlands should not be allowed to export weapons to conflict areas according to the assessment criteria. ‘It is only normal for the Netherlands to look at this with great care, just like many other countries,’ says Hoekstra. A final decision will follow ‘within a few weeks’.
Hoekstra was satisfied with the ‘great degree of unanimity’ in the House of Representatives about the need for dialogue and the willingness to respond with firm sanctions if Russia invades Ukraine again. However, five minutes after this statement, he had to save himself from a barrage of questions from FvD’er Baudet (‘Nato is one of the most aggressive alliances in history’) and SP’er Van Dijk (‘was that NATO expansion to the east wise?’).
Nevertheless, the House was largely in favor of a firm stance against Russia, possibly including arms support as far as opposition parties such as PvdA and BBB are concerned. Many parties are concerned about what they see as the lack of European unity following Hungarian leader Orbán’s visit to Moscow. ‘We have to be careful that we as Europe do not become a laughingstock of international politics,’ said Corinne Ellemeet (GroenLinks).
‘arms race’
When Agnes Mulder (CDA) eventually also warned of a ‘paradigm change’ in a Russian attack on Ukraine, Jasper van Dijk gave vent to his indignation. ‘Mr President, I am really looking forward to it. I really hear the same pro-Nato war language, anti-Russian, from GroenLinks to the VVD. Where is the historical sense?’
Van Dijk himself spoke of an ‘unadulterated arms race’, the ‘return of the Cold War’ and (Western) arms deliveries to Ukraine that ‘throw oil on the fire’. ‘We opt for ‘de-escalation and disarmament.’ NATO has also made extensive proposals to sit down with Russia on all aspects of arms control and confidence-building measures. But it is the arms supplies of individual member states to Ukraine that are a thorn in the side of the SP, supported by the Party for the Animals. The SP may support sanctions in the event of a military invasion.
Yield to Putin
On the right of the VVD, the willingness to accommodate President Putin is increasing rapidly, it emerged during the debate. Referring to the Cuban Missile Crisis (1961), Derk Jan Eppink (JA21) taught the House that ‘great powers usually wear big trousers. Shouldn’t we then look to the security interests of great powers and observe that reality?’ Yes, replied Ruben Brekelmans (VVD), ‘but we must not succumb to Putin’s pressure.’
Raymond de Roon (PVV) went a step further with his appeal not to succumb to ‘warmongers on both sides’. ‘If you want to prevent Ukraine from being attacked unexpectedly, you will have to give Russia some comfort. It is more important that there is no war than that we cling to things like sovereignty.’ Thierry Baudet sees ‘after the corona scam now the Russia scam’. “We are in the process of enforcing the American divide-and-rule policy. Europe should be a bridge between East and West.’ Forum for Democracy believes that Ukraine should become neutral and wants to recognize Russia’s annexation of Crimea. ‘And 9/11 was a false flag operationBaudet concluded.