Volodymyr Zelensky addressed the Dutch Parliament on Tuesday, thanking the Netherlands for its support during his speech in the House of Representatives. The Ukrainian president, who is in The Hague for the NATO summit, also called on European allies to take tougher action against Russia.
Shortly after 4:30 PM, Zelensky was received with applause in the House of Representatives. He addressed the parliament in the plenary hall, where members of the Senate were also present. The invitation for the Ukrainian president was an initiative of GroenLinks-PvdA. A majority in Parliament agreed to it.
In his speech, Zelensky thanked the Netherlands, calling it “one of the greatest defenders of life in the world.” He said he felt the support and praised the Netherlands for the provided air defense systems.
Zelensky called the continued Russian attacks on Ukraine “irrational and not human.” He said that on Monday, a “completely normal” village in eastern Ukraine was hit, destroying houses and killing three people, including a child. In Dnipro on Tuesday, at least 11 people were killed and 153 people were injured. “Civilians seem to be the real targets of Russia.”
Both Western and Ukrainian intelligence services also have indications that Russia may be “preparing destructive actions on NATO territory,” the president said.
Zelensky: The Hague has a crucial role
Zelensky emphasized that the international community must hold Russian President Vladimir Putin accountable for the atrocities in Ukraine. He spoke about international law and the crucial role of The Hague, where the International Criminal Court (ICC) and the International Court of Justice (ICJ) are located.
“I want to say this very clearly here in The Hague: there is a rule not to murder, there is a rule not to burn down villages, there is a rule not to support terror, and there is a rule not to kidnap children. If you break those rules, you must be held accountable,” Zelensky said.
The ICC has issued an arrest warrant for Putin for his role in the kidnapping of Ukrainian children.
Stricter Boycott of Russia
Zelensky also called for continued pressure on Russia and the announcement of stricter sanctions against that country. He wants the oil tap from Russia to be further shut off and the country to be completely cut off from the banking system. “Every drop in revenue from Russian oil is a step towards peace,” the president said.
Zelensky also addressed defense spending, the central theme of the NATO summit. He stressed that European countries must increase their defense budgets. “Russia is stronger than any of us, but weaker than us together. If Europe offers no room for aggression, there will be no aggression.”
Around the NATO summit itself, Zelensky has meetings with, among others, Secretary-General Mark Rutte and outgoing Prime Minister Dick Schoof. He will also attend a dinner with leaders of NATO countries. The president has already met King Willem-Alexander at Huis ten Bosch Palace. Zelensky will not be present at the plenary session of the leaders on Wednesday.
The Ukrainian president will meet with US President Donald Trump, the White House reports. Nothing is yet known about the time and place of this meeting.