Embassy of the Netherlands in Ukraine

Russia's deportation of Ukrainian children is a truly cynical crime. At yesterday's meeting of the International Coalition for the Return of Ukrainian Children, @ministerBZ highlighted our efforts to trace and reunite victims, provide psychosocial support, and ensure justice.

The Netherlands firmly condemns Russia’s deportation and forced adoption of Ukrainian children, alongside its systematic manipulation of information and inauthentic online behaviour. We welcome the UK’s sanctions against Russian disinformation & foreign interference networks. 1/2

Along with the sanctions against those involved in abducting Ukrainian children. Yesterday, the EU also imposed new sanctions for these horrible crimes. 2/2

Russia's deportation and forced adoption of Ukrainian children is a deliberate attempt to break Ukraine's future. Important that we agreed to impose new EU sanctions against those responsible. Countering this abhorrent practice is an absolute priority for the Netherlands. 1/2

After this #FAC, we are gathering with EU ministers, our dear friend @andrii_sybiha and other members of the International Coalition for the Return of Ukrainian Children to discuss our support efforts to trace and reunite stolen children, and prosecute Russian perpetrators. 2/2

On #WorldPressFreedomDay, we salute the brave journalists who risk everything to bring us the truth. Journalists are especially under threat when covering conflict or sensitive topics. 1/2

Together with @UNESCO, @MediaFreedomC and other partners, we strive to safeguard their safety and defend the essential right to press freedom. Read more via: government.nl/latest/weblogs… 2/2

The Netherlands supports this statement for World Press Freedom Day which highlights the important link between a free media and both global and national security ⤵️ mediafreedomcoalition.org/joint-statemen…

On May 4th, the Netherlands commemorates all victims of war. We remember all – civilians and soldiers – who have been killed in the Kingdom of the Netherlands or anywhere in the world in war situations or during peacekeeping operations since the outbreak of the Second World War.

On May 5th, the Netherlands marks Liberation Day. We reflect on the end of the Second World War, and the fact that it enables us to live in freedom – while recognising that we must never take peace and freedom for granted.

The Netherlands and the EU go way back. As founding member, Europe runs in our DNA. Today, we are determined to work toward an even stronger and more resilient Union. On Europe Day, we celebrate how far we have come. Our unity, values and democracy are what bind us.

Happy King's Day! 👑🇳🇱 The Netherlands celebrates the birthday of His Majesty King Willem Alexander with street markets and parties around the country. Wear orange and eat a 'tompouce'. Let's celebrate!

Onder zware omstandigheden bewijsmateriaal van oorlogsmisdaden in Oekraïne veiligstellen. Eén adjudant van de marechaussee deed dit zelfs 5 keer. Daarvoor heb ik hem vandaag het Ereteken voor Verdienste uitgereikt. Grote waardering voor zijn inzet in het belang van gerechtigheid.

Nederland investeert €248 miljoen in drones voor Oekraïne. Deze drones worden in onze beide landen gefabriceerd. Hiermee versterken we onze samenwerking én onze eigen industrie nog verder. En het belangrijkste: de drones helpen om de Russische aanvallen af te slaan! 🇳🇱🇺🇦

Today, after the Four Freedoms Awards ceremony, I met with President @ZelenskyyUa of Ukraine. Naturally we discussed the current state of the war with Russia – a fight we must not lose sight of, even as unfolding developments in the Middle East demand our attention. Ukraine can count on us. That means we will use sanctions to keep up the pressure on Putin and try to force him to come to the negotiating table. We will continue pressing for a just and lasting peace for Ukraine, however distant a prospect that may currently seem. After all, it’s clear that in the past few months Putin hasn’t taken a single step in the right direction. So we must also be realistic. And that requires all allies to do what is needed to support Ukraine in this fight.

“On behalf of all the ordinary men, women and children who were thrust overnight into a new reality they did not choose. On behalf of the children who now go to school in an air-raid shelter. On behalf of the women who keep their families afloat and their country running by working in factories. On behalf of the men who’ve had to swap a suit-and-tie for combat fatigues, and are fighting to defend their territory. Metre by metre. Who are doing so because they know and feel that every square centimetre is a piece not just of Ukraine’s soil, but of its dignity too. That is what they are defending. President Zelenskyy, Volodymyr: this award is for your country. For you as president. And for all the Ukrainian people.” Click here government.nl/documents/spee… to read my speech at the Four Freedoms Awards ceremony. Today in Middelburg it was my privilege to join Elizabeth Roosevelt Johnston (the great-granddaughter of President Franklin D. Roosevelt) in presenting the International Four Freedoms Award to President @ZelenskyyUa of Ukraine. He accepted the award on behalf of the Ukrainian people as a ‘recognition of the courageous fight for our freedom and democracy under exceptionally difficult circumstances’.

In Middelburg zijn de Four Freedom Awards uitgereikt aan het Oekraïense volk. President @ZelenskyyUa neemt de onderscheiding in ontvangst. De prijs is een erkenning voor hun moedige strijd voor de bescherming van vrijheid en democratie onder uitzonderlijk zware omstandigheden.

Namens gewone mannen, vrouwen en kinderen, die van de ene op de andere dag een nieuwe werkelijkheid intuimelden waar ze niet voor kozen. Namens kinderen die in een schuilkelder naar school gaan. Namens vrouwen die hun gezin en het land draaiend houden door te werken in fabrieken. En namens mannen die vanuit een baan met pak en stropdas, ineens in een camouflagepak hun grondgebied moeten verdedigen. Meter voor meter. En die dat doen, omdat zij weten en voelen, dat iedere vierkante centimeter niet alleen uit Oekraïense aarde, maar ook uit Oekraïense waardigheid bestaat. Dat is wat zij verdedigen. President @ZelenskyyUa, deze award is voor Oekraïne. Voor jou als president. En voor alle mensen in Oekraïne. Mijn hele toespraak is terug te lezen via rijksoverheid.nl/regering/bewin… Vandaag mocht ik samen met Elizabeth Roosevelt Johnston (de achterkleindochter van president Roosevelt) in Middelburg de Four Freedoms Award uitreiken aan de Oekraïense president Zelensky. Hij neemt de prijs mede namens het Oekraïense volk in ontvangst als ‘erkenning voor de moedige strijd voor onze vrijheid en democratie onder uitzonderlijk zware omstandigheden’.

🇺🇦🤝🇳🇱 Grateful to the Netherlands for investing €248 million in drones for Ukraine. Joint production boosts our partnership and industrial strength.

Come visit till 30 April our audio installation "Land: The Bearer of Memory" at the Gulliver Shopping Mall in Kyiv – a joint project by @UNDPUkraine, @mineconomdev, @Demine_Ukraine supported by @NLinUkraine and the Community Recovery Fund of Ukraine. The voices of those who are bringing life back to cleared territories are resonating in every region. Hear the story of the land and its people 🔗 go.undp.org/Sjz