Unknowns have defaced the Russian consulate in Maastricht. With paint, the colors of the Ukrainian flag have been sprayed on the walls and windows of the consulate, as well as some proverbs in Cyrillic script.
The text “Hands off UKR” is sprayed in blue and yellow for everyone, however.
Honorary Consul General
The Dutch consul previously praised Putin. Honorary Consul General Constantijn van Vloten (70) has a company in Saint Petersburg and is also consul of the Consulate General of the Russian Federation in North Brabant and Limburg. That consulate represents the interests of Russian nationals in both provinces.
Earlier in conversation with L1, Van Vloten also said that Putin has done nothing wrong. “I’m sorry he didn’t do it sooner,” he said of the Russian president’s actions.
World War III
The consul sees the Russian president as the man who prevents World War III. According to him, there is therefore no question of land grab. “It’s about security. The security of Europe, Russia and Ukraine,” he said at the time.
Also read: Bob Wouda: ‘Afraid that Putin wants to annex more land’
He justifies the war in much the same terms as Putin, and that may have given angry graffiti artists the idea of giving his consulate a fresh coat of paint.