Support has grown: how and why the Dutch attitude towards the war in Ukraine has changed

Support for Ukraine has increased in the Netherlands / Collage 24 Channel

Support for Ukraine has grown among the population of the Netherlands. The majority of citizens believe that we need to supply more weapons to our country.

The general situation for Channel 24 was outlined by Julia Soldatyuk-Westerveld, an expert at the Netherlands Institute for International Relations Clingendael. According to her, support for Ukraine and condemnation of Russia’s actions among the population increased by 15% compared to last year.

“The majority believes that Ukraine needs to be supported even more. Overall, 62% believe that Ukraine needs to be supplied with more weapons, and 18% are convinced that, first of all, it needs to increase its defense potential,” Soldatiuk-Westerveld noted .

In addition, two-thirds of the Dutch support sanctions against Russia, even if it has economic consequences for themselves. Most believe that EU sanctions are too weak.

At the same time, 62% believe that the EU should demand negotiations and a truce for reasons of preserving human lives.

In the Netherlands we learned more about Ukraine and Ukrainians

The increase in support for our country is primarily due to a better understanding of the general situation . Thus, by 2022, the general level of knowledge about Ukraine among the population of the Netherlands was quite minimal. Over these two years he has grown significantly.

In addition, Ukraine has shown itself well in reforms and confronting the enemy .

Displaced people in the Netherlands also had a positive impact, showing a good side of Ukrainian culture and Ukrainians as such. – added Soldatyuk-Westerveld.

At the same time, attitudes towards Russia have changed dramatically, albeit gradually. The first signal was the shooting down of a Boeing 777 near Donetsk.

The Netherlands helps Ukraine: basics

• Amsterdam 2024 will allocate an additional 2 billion euros to Ukraine. The funds are spent primarily on military needs, in particular on strengthening air defense.
• Meanwhile, Dutch F-16 fighters have already arrived in Romania. Ukrainian pilots will study for them for about six months.
• As you know, on October 13, Prime Minister of the Netherlands Mark Rutte arrived in Ukraine. A separate topic of negotiations with Vladimir Zelensky was devoted to the protection of Ukrainian exports.