On May 10, 2022, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands, Wopke Hoekstra, visited Ukraine. In this country, reflecting the aggressive attack of Russia, he visited the city of Irpen, liberated from the invaders, and held a number of important meetings. Following the visit to Irpen, the minister said: "Violence against Ukraine should not go unpunished."
Meetings with Zelensky and Kuleba
At meetings with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba, Hokstra stressed that the Netherlands supports Ukraine and this support will continue. The Netherlands provide the Ukrainian side with military, financial, economic and humanitarian assistance, in particular, accept Ukrainian refugees. Hoekstra stressed that he often communicates with Minister Kuleba by phone.
Visit to the city of Irpin
Minister Hoekstra visited the recently liberated city of Irpin from Russian occupiers. Massive destruction and evidence of crimes against the civilian population did not leave the minister indifferent. He said that the Netherlands considers it necessary to bring the perpetrators of the crimes to justice. Therefore, the investigation of crimes and the collection of evidence for the International Criminal Court and the Commission of Inquiry of the Human Rights Council are funded. In addition, a Dutch forensic team is already deployed in Ukraine and is collecting evidence that can later be used in lawsuits.
Sexual crimes of the occupiers
At the German embassy in Kyiv, Hoekstra met with German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock and representatives of human rights organizations. Human rights activists told the ministers about the many cases of sexual violence by Russian invaders against citizens of Ukraine. Minister Hoekstra stated that sexual violence by Russians in this conflict takes place and requires investigation and bringing the perpetrators to justice.
Visit to the Embassy of the Netherlands in Kyiv
Minister Hoekstra visited the Dutch embassy in Kyiv, which resumed its work in the Ukrainian capital on 29 April. Hoekstra spoke with Ambassador Jennes de Mol and said that the work of the embassy in Kyiv is extremely important in communications with the leadership of Ukraine. Currently, the embassy is served by a reduced staff and does not yet provide consular services.
Hoekstra's previous visit to Kyiv took place on February 2, 2022, 22 days before the start of Russia's aggressive attack on Ukraine. Minister Hoekstra and Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte already expressed support for Ukraine back then.
Get more information about Ukraine and the life of Ukrainians in the Netherlands on our Online.
Publication Date: 13.05.2022
