Press Statement by Hanke Bruins Slot, Minister of Foreign Affairs, on Ukraine.

Diplomatic statement | 05-12-2023

Ladies and gentlemen,

Six-hundred-and-fifty days have passed since the brutal invasion of Russia on the 24th of February 2022.

Six-hundred-and-fifty days of hardship, suffering and fighting. I’m impressed by the bravery of the Ukrainians. By your strength and willpower in resisting Russia’s aggression.

It’s good to be here again. It may be cold outside, but our meetings have been heart-warming. And the ties between our countries are warm. Thank you, Dmytro, for the productive meeting we’ve just had.

My main message to Dmytro was the same as to all of you here: be assured of our support. Your fight is our fight. Your security is our security. That’s why the Dutch government has allocated 2.5 billion euros to support Ukraine in 2024.

We also discussed Ukraine’s aspiration to become a member of the EU. I’m glad to say that we are positive about the European Commission’s recommendations to open accession negotiations with Ukraine. Because your future is with us.

I also want to stress here how impressive Ukraine’s efforts have been to implement the required reforms under such difficult circumstances of war. We will stand with you throughout the process.

Yesterday I visited Bucha. And it touched me deeply. I visited a mass grave and attended a ceremony for the victims of the war in St Andrew’s Church. A place like that leaves no doubt about what evil is and what it is capable of. And that’s why it also shows how important it is to fight for justice. It’s admirable how determined you are to continue facing these great challenges.

In Myrotske I saw how de-miners are working to make the area safe and liveable again. This work could cost them their lives, but they are doing it with great dedication. And, together with Dmytro, I visited a training centre for an Artillery Brigade.

Inch by inch, thousands of Ukrainian soldiers are fighting in tough circumstances to restore the territorial integrity of their country. Their bravery knows no bounds.

Here in Kyiv, I met with several NGOs that are working to ensure justice for the people of Ukraine. They are fighting for Ukraine, working to hold Russia accountable. I look forward to meeting Prosecutor General Kostin later, to discuss how we can support those initiatives.

The Netherlands has committed to be the lead nation for point 7 of the peace formula: restoring justice. As such, we already host and support the Register of Damage for Ukraine, and the International Centre for the Prosecution of the Crime of Aggression against Ukraine. This centre is a first step towards a special tribunal, which we have offered to host in The Hague as well.

But it’s also crucial to support Ukraine’s own capacity to investigate and prosecute international crimes. For that reason, we have offered capacity and training to the Ukrainian prosecutor general and judiciary. The Dutch government has set aside 9 million euros for this purpose in 2024.

Additionally, I have pledged 8 million euros for the European Union Advisory Mission. It’s intended for capacity-building in the liberated areas in Ukraine. The money will help strengthen police units and restore the rule of law.

Fortunately, many countries stand with Ukraine. To coordinate all the international efforts to restore justice and ensure accountability, we founded the Dialogue Group back in March. 

It was an honour to officially open the Secretariat of the Dialogue Group, here in Kyiv today. So that Ukraine remains in the driving seat when it comes to accountability and justice. We must continue to support Ukraine in the long term. With whatever it takes, for as long as it takes.

Because not only is Ukraine fighting for its very existence. The future of Europe as we know it is at stake. Ukraine’s glory and freedom must prevail.

Thank you.