In the garden of the Catshuis, Schooofed with journalists on Sunday evening, after the Prime Minister had consulted with EU leaders from the so-called Coalition of the Willing, among others.
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On Monday, US President Donald Trump will receive Ukrainian President Volodimir Zelenski, EU leader Ursula von der Leyen, NATO chef Mark Rutte and a number of EU leaders in Washington. They continue to speak with each other about the future of Ukraine. Schoof thinks that this conversation can be “a preparation” “for the conversation that ultimately has to take place between Putin, Zenski and Trump.”
In recent months, the Coalition of the Willing, in which the Netherlands also participates, has already made an extensive military planning to maintain peace. At least: if the war between Russia and Ukraine actually stops. “The military planning has been on the table for a while. It is being taken from the table when a ceasefire or peace really comes closer,” Schoooft Schoof. “Then we must also talk about that.”
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Whether our boys and girls are actually used in Ukraine, for example, is by no means certain. “It’s about military commitment that is more than just Boots on the ground”, Says Schoof.” There are all choices to be made there. Also for the Netherlands. And we have to do that with all partners. ”
Outgoing Prime Minister Dick Schoof in front of the Catshuis. © ANP
According to the Prime Minister, it will then look at what the Netherlands is ‘best in’. “That is the ‘what’ question. It must also be coordinated. Then the question is: can we wear this politically?”, Says Schoof.
Whether that will happen in the very short term is still unclear. Schoof: “That depends entirely in what speed the process of peace talks actually runs. If the security guarantees with American support are worked out and indeed politically on the table, then the Netherlands will have to wonder: what can we deliver and what do we want to deliver? Then we must also talk about it in the cabinet and the parliament, including the careful procedures.”
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According to Schoof, the security guarantees of the international partners are needed to be able to permanently maintain peace in the war -torn Ukraine. “Those security guarantees must be able to offer Europe and the United States together. It is the best guarantee, in combination with a strong Ukrainian army that you get peace.”