Schoof reiterates support for Ukraine 3 years after invasion; Dutch support undiminished

Prime Minister Dick Schoof reiterated the Netherlands support for Ukraine on the third anniversary of the Russian invasion on Monday. The Netherlands will remain committed to lasting peace in Ukraine, he said in a video posted on social media. Netherlands residents’ support for Ukraine also remains undiminished, according to an RTL Nieuws survey of its panel members.

Schoof called Russia’s invasion of Ukraine an “act of extreme aggression” that had dire consequences for the people of Ukraine. “Three years of devastation. Three years of death and destruction. Three years of enormous human suffering, and deep sorrow for many families,” Schoof said. “But also three years of courage, and resolve. Of resistance against the Russians. Of unshakable belief in a free and independent Ukraine. We have nothing but admiration for the resilience of the Ukrainian people.”

The Dutch Prime Minister hopes that this year will bring peace for Ukraine. “Whatever happens, it must be a lasting peace. A peace that guarantees security and independence not only for Ukraine, but also for all of Europe, and thus for the Netherlands, as well,” he said. “My promise today is that the Netherlands will remain committed to that goal and that we will continue to support Ukraine for Ukraine’s future, and for our own future.”

Minister Caspar Veldkamp of Foreign Affairs called the intensified Russian military presence in Ukraine in February 2022 a “brutal, unprovoked and illegal invasion,” saying it violated both international law and the United Nations charter. “Russia had wanted to bring Ukraine to its knees. It’s not succeeding,” he said on Monday, a day after joining a rally in support of Ukraine in Utrecht.

“I think these days of all those in the occupied territories, all those who are victims, victims of violence, victims of rape, kidnapped children, et cetera. I keep that in my mind. I keep that in my heart,” the Foreign Affairs Minister said.

To commemorate the third anniversary of the invasion, many Dutch Ministries hoisted the Ukraine flag along with the Dutch one on Monday.

Netherlands residents still support Ukraine, concerned about United States

Netherlands residents’ support for Ukraine remains undiminished at 68 percent even after three years of war and the United States’ current swing towards supporting Russia. A majority of Dutch think that Europe needs to stand more on its own feet and support increasing defense spending. A majority also supports sending Dutch soldiers for a peacekeeping force in Ukraine if the U.S. and Russia make a peace deal, according to a survey by RTL Nieuws among its panel.

The broadcaster looked into how Netherlands residents responded to recent statements by Donald Trump and his vice president J.D. Vance. In the past week, the two called Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenksyy a dictator, said Ukraine started the war with Russia, strongly criticized European democracies, and advocated for cooperation with the German far-right party AfD. The U.S. also started peace talks with Russia without involving Europe or Ukraine.

America has Netherlands residents even more worried than they already were, RTL polster Gijs Rademaker said. “Almost no one believes that this is a difference of opinion between good friends - the EU and the U.S. - and that the basis of that friendship is not being damaged. We all agree with the boss of Europe, Ursula von der Leyen, who says that ‘this is a turning point for Europe.’ America is going to let us down in the coming years, that is the feeling. And that makes many people very worried.”

57 percent of Netherlands residents think there is a reasonable chance of war breaking out on EU territory within five years, compared to 48 percent at the end of 2023. 65 percent support increasing the Dutch defense budget to 3 percent of the GDP or higher, compared to 58 percent around the end of 2023.

If the U.S. and Russia reach a deal for peace in Ukraine, 54 percent of Netherlands residents are in favor of sending Dutch soldiers to Ukraine to participate in a well-armed peacekeeping force involving several countries. “Voters of many opposition parties are massively in favor of sending troops. But even when I look at the coalition, more voters are in favor than against. Especially from the VVD and NSC, but also half of the BBB supporters want to send troops. Only the majority of PVV voters are against, just like their party,” Rademaker said. The PVV is notoriously pro-Russia.