Dutch Defense Minister Kaisa Ollongren expects that the next government will continue to support Ukraine, in particular, will not refuse to participate in the program to provide F-16 fighter jets.
She made this statement in comments to reporters in The Hague, reports the Associated Press.
According to the minister, the position of Geert Wilders, the leader of the Freedom Party, which won the parliamentary elections, causes concern among allies.
Currently watching
Ollongren assured that “in the Netherlands there is broad support for our assistance to Ukraine.”
“I hope and expect that this will not change in the new parliament.” But the Freedom Party is now the largest party (in parliament – Ed .), and they have never been enthusiastic about supporting Ukraine. Sometimes they were even pro-Russian. So this worries me,” the minister emphasized.
The AP draws attention to Wilders' campaign platform, which states: We will not transfer our money or military equipment such as the F-16 to Ukraine.
The current government, led by Mark Rutte, will serve until a new coalition is formed.
In August, Rutte said the Netherlands and Denmark would send F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine to help fight Russian forces. Currently, Ukrainian pilots are undergoing training on these aircraft.
On November 24, Mark Rutte had a telephone conversation with Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky. The leaders discussed “the importance of providing ongoing military and financial support to Ukraine” in the fight against Russian aggression.
Want to rest? Come to Facti.GAMES!
Far-right victory in Dutch elections
The far-right Freedom Party (PVV), led by Geert Wilders, won the parliamentary elections in the Netherlands. It has the characteristics of a Eurosceptic and anti-Islamic political force.
The PVV party will receive 37 seats in parliament out of 150. In second place is the coalition of the Left-Greens and Labor (GroenLinks-PvdA), led by former Vice-President of the European Commission Frans Timmermans (25 seats).
Mark Rutte's People's Party for Freedom and Democracy will receive 24 seats, which is 10 less than in the previous elections.
Coalition consultations are currently ongoing in the Netherlands.
The election results clear the way for Wilders to take the lead in forming a new coalition and potentially become Rutte's successor as prime minister.
