According to political journalist Mats Akkerman, Ukrainian President Volodimir Zelensky’s lightning-fast visit to the Netherlands has yielded few concrete results when it comes to things. But according to Akkerman, Zelensky’s twenty-four hours in the Netherlands actually yielded something: ‘It was a pretty good PR tour. You can’t turn on the TV or radio without seeing or hearing Zelensky.’
Mobile laboratory
In the twenty-four hours the Ukrainian president was in the Netherlands, he had a busy schedule. For example, he has been to the Senate to speak to parliamentarians, he has been to the ICC International Criminal Court, he has given a speech at the World Forum and he has been to the Catshuis with Prime Minister Mark Rutte and Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo. At the end of the day he also visited the Soesterberg military base to talk with wounded Ukrainian soldiers.
“I think he took every possible opportunity to rekindle attention to the war in Ukraine in our country.”
“I think he took every possible opportunity to rekindle attention to the war in Ukraine in our country,” says Akkerman. The visit also gave him something concrete. According to Akkerman, Defense Minister Kajsa Ollongren made a small commitment at the end of the day. For example, the Netherlands will provide a mobile laboratory to the International Criminal Court for forensic investigations into possible war crimes.
F16
However, the mobile lab isn’t high on Zelensky’s wish list. The Ukrainian president prefers the Netherlands to supply fighter jets in the form of F16s. According to Akkerman, this is still a sensitive issue. Prime Minister Rutte said steps were being taken with other countries and that it was also getting closer. But it is a step that will have to be talked about for a long time ».
In response, Zelensky indicated that the delivery of the tanks was also initially a sensitive issue, but that they were eventually delivered. According to the political journalist, the Ukrainian president therefore understands that supplying the F16s is a matter of patience. “He’s hopeful and hasn’t even been very negative about that wait,” Akkerman says.
No taboos
Defense Minister Ollongren agrees that work is being done with other countries on a possible delivery of the fighter jets. According to Ollongren there are “no taboos for us”. The minister hopes every day that the end of the war is getting closer. “But we still don’t see the beginning of the end. This is why we support Ukraine because we want it to be able to win the war and eventually be able to push back the Russians and for Russian aggression to stop,” Ollongren said.
Source: BNR
Sharon Rock is an author and journalist who writes for 24 News Globe. She has a passion for learning about different cultures and understanding the complexities of the world. With a talent for explaining complex global issues in an accessible and engaging way, Sharon has become a respected voice in the field of world news journalism.
