Zelenskyy addresses Tweede Kamer as Dutch govt. unveils €175M military aid for Ukraine
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy spoke Tuesday in the plenary hall of the Tweede Kamer in The Hague during the NATO summit, thanking the Netherlands for its support and urging continued unity as Ukraine fights to defend itself against Russia.
The Ukrainian delegation, including several ministers and Ukraine’s ambassador in The Hague, entered the building via a side entrance under tight security. About 20 onlookers waited outside. The session was broadcast live via the Tweede Kamer's official livestream and the Debat Direct app. No questions were taken from the press.
“I’m here in person today, first of all, to say thank you,” Zelenskyy told lawmakers. “The Netherlands is one of the biggest defenders of lives in the world.”
Zelenskyy detailed the harsh daily impact of the war on civilians, citing the destruction of homes and the deaths and injuries of children in attacks that lacked any clear military purpose. He emphasized that the violence appears aimed at civilians themselves, with life being the "primary target."
He stressed the importance of international law and accountability. “Here in The Hague, there is a rule: not to kill, not to burn cities and villages, not to steal children. Maybe it is hard for Russia to understand.”
He also raised concerns about Moscow’s ties with “bloody regimes,” referring to Iran, and called for strict enforcement of sanctions. “We need a price cap [on Russian oil], but it is important that it actually works.”
Zelenskyy’s remarks, delivered during the NATO summit in The Hague, were met with standing ovations upon his entrance and again at the conclusion of his speech—including from far-right leaders Geert Wilders of the PVV and Caroline van der Plas of BBB. Both have previously advocated a more cautious relationship with Ukraine. Attendance in the chamber was high, with even PVV benches “nearly full,” despite the party’s consistent criticism of Dutch support for Ukraine. D66 leader Rob Jetten was absent due to personal reasons.
Only the three members of Forum voor Democratie (FVD) boycotted the speech. Party leader Thierry Baudet posted a video on X calling it inappropriate for a foreign head of state to speak in the Tweede Kamer and claimed Zelenskyy was responsible for the war—despite Russia launching its full-scale invasion of Ukraine more than three years ago.
Zelenskyy’s address was held at the initiative of GroenLinks and PvdA. Though the setting was the Tweede Kamer’s plenary hall, members of both the Tweede and Eerste Kamer were invited. Jesse Klaver, chair of the parliamentary committee on foreign affairs, thanked Zelenskyy afterward and emphasized “the strong bilateral ties” between the Netherlands and Ukraine, as well as the president’s role in “defending our shared European values.”
Zelenskyy is visiting the Netherlands to attend the NATO summit in The Hague, although Ukraine is not a member of the alliance. His role at the summit is limited, making his parliamentary address a "symbolic moment of visibility and support."
It was not the first time Zelenskyy spoke to Dutch lawmakers. In March 2022, one month after Russia’s invasion, he addressed the Tweede Kamer via video, urging more weapons, sanctions, and reconstruction aid. In May 2023, he met with Eerste Kamer members during a controversial visit that coincided with the Dutch Remembrance Day.
Earlier Tuesday, the Dutch Ministry of Defence announced a new 175 million euros military aid package for Ukraine. It includes 100 radar systems to detect drones and guide air defense units, with deliveries expected by the end of 2025. The Netherlands will also send 20 Ermine casevac vehicles—partially autonomous systems designed to evacuate wounded personnel from the battlefield.
In addition, the Dutch government pledged 80 million euros in new funding to the international drone coalition, bringing its total contribution to 100 million euros. Separately, it signed a 500 million euro contract with the Ukrainian defense industry to produce 600,000 drones for frontline use. The large-scale program, known as the Drone Initiative, is intended to help Ukrainian forces prevent Russian breakthroughs on the battlefield.
“The relentless Russian air attacks show daily that air defense is literally a matter of life and death for Ukraine,” Dutch Defense Minister Ruben Brekelmans said in a statement. “That is why it is so important that we can deliver these drone detection radars.”
“The contracts signed with the Ukrainian drone industry and our increased funding underscore that drones and unmanned systems are the spearhead of our support for Ukraine,” he said.
Brekelmans added: “For three and a half years, tireless Ukrainian troops have been fighting on the front lines against Russian aggression, supported by a vast, steadfast, and resilient population. I have tremendous respect for them. Alongside strengthening our own armed forces, supporting Ukraine remains the most effective way to halt Russia’s brutal expansionist drive. We remain resolute in our support for Ukraine.”
