Dutch PM Schoof: Support for Ukraine "undiminished" after Nord Stream sabotage report

As far as Prime Minister Dick Schoof is concerned, Dutch support for Ukraine remains "undiminished," he said on Friday after the weekly Cabinet meeting. Schoof wants to wait for the results of the German investigation before discussing the possibility that Ukraine was behind the attack on the Nord Stream pipelines in the Baltic Sea and the alleged involvement of President Volodymyr Zelensky.

"It is important to stop the attack of Russia on Ukraine in the interests of Europe and the Netherlands," said Schoof. "That means that Ukraine's support is in that context."

Ruben Brekelmans, the Minister of Defense, also refused to comment on the accusations that Ukraine was behind the plan to blow up the Nord Stream pipelines. He, too, said that he wanted to wait for the results of the investigation by the German Public Prosecution Service.

"I believe we should stand up for support for Ukraine," Brekelmans said when asked. Coalition partner PVV is increasing the pressure from the Tweede Kamer, the Lower House of the Dutch Parliament. In parliamentary questions, the party asked the Cabinet whether it also believes that it "cannot remain without consequences when it comes to the relationship between the Netherlands and Ukraine" if it turns out Ukraine was behind the attack on the Nord Stream pipeline.

Minister of Foreign Affairs Casper Veldkamp also expressed his support for Ukraine when asked about it. "Since 24 February 2022, there has been a large-scale invasion by Russia of Ukraine. We all know who decided to do that. This invasion caused many, many casualties. We support Ukraine in their battle," said the NSC minister.

Almost two years ago, the pipeline between Germany and Russia was sabotaged. German media companies reported this week that a European arrest warrant was issued against a Ukrainian suspect. Two other Ukrainians are also suspects. The Wall Street Journal reported that Zelenskyy initially gave the green light for the plan but later withdrew it. This allegedly happened after a message from the CIA, who were notified by the Dutch Military Intelligence and Security Service MIVD.

Ukraine responded to the accusations on Thursday, saying that they were nonsense. "Ukraine's involvement in the Nord Stream explosions is absolute nonsense. There was no practical sense in such actions for Ukraine," said an aide to Ukrainian President Zelensky.