Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is in The Hague today (October 28) for special talks with Prime Minister Rob Jetten and King Willem-Alexander.
The announcement is very last-minute, with a news release from the government going live at 9:27 this morning. Here’s what we know so far. 👇
A packed day in The Hague
President Zelensky’s first stop is the Catshuis, the Dutch prime minister’s official residence, where he and PM Jetten will kick things off with bilateral talks.
Once that’s sorted, the room fills out a bit more, with “a delegation meeting also attended by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence Yeşilgöz-Zegerius and Minister of Foreign Affairs Berendsen”.
Following that, all relevant parties will sit down for a meeting with CEOs of Dutch and Ukrainian companies. In the evening, King Willem-Alexander will receive Zelensky at Paleis Huis ten Bosch, the royal palace in The Hague.
Dutch to extend more support to Ukraine
Meanwhile, across the continent, Minister of Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation Sjoerd Sjoerdsma just announced a €1.2 billion support package for Ukraine.
“Ukraine is under heavy fire and is facing a very harsh winter,” Sjoerdsma said during a visit to Kyiv. “For the safety of us all, it is also of great importance that we continue to support the Ukrainians so that they can sustain the fight. That is why the cabinet is now taking an extra step.”
Among other contributions, the Netherlands has agreed to accelerate the release of €40 million for the Ukraine Energy Support Fund, to aid with “urgent restoration and repairs to the energy infrastructure”.
€136 million has also been earmarked for business support, including the Ukraine Partnership Facility, to help Dutch firms play a bigger role “in recovery and reconstruction and better position themselves on the Ukrainian market”.
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