‘Minister Brekelmans is open to negotiations with Russia on peace in Ukraine’

Defense Minister Ruben Brekelmans (VVD) no longer rules out negotiations with Russia on peace in Ukraine. He says so an interview of Fidelity. As far as he is concerned, European leaders should take the initiative before Donald Trump does. Trump will take office as the new president of the United States on January 20.

“We must ensure that European countries are at the table, so that Trump does not decide with Putin about the security architecture in Europe,” says Brekelmans. Until now, the government’s position has been that negotiations should only start when Ukraine is ready for it. For example, on December 4, the minister told the House of Representatives that negotiations are not desirable because of Ukraine’s weak position on the battlefield.

“At the moment the discussion is still in the early stages,” says Brekelmans about possible negotiations. “But there is a hurry, because we know that Trump also wants to speed up.” Trump has said several times that he can end the war in Ukraine “within 24 hours.”

Negotiations should lead to a peace agreement or a truce. A European peace force may monitor compliance with this in the part of Ukraine not occupied by Russia. Brekelman’s will opposite Fidelity cannot yet anticipate the role that the Netherlands could play in this regard. “It depends on what exactly is at hand and what that looks like,” he says. “Based on that, we will have to see whether there is political support for this.”

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