Chairwoman of the Committee on Ukraine’s Integration into the EU Ivanna Klympush-Tsintsadze met with Alle Dorhout, the Ambassador of the Netherlands to Ukraine.

Ivanna Klympush-Tsintsadze expressed gratitude to the Netherlands for its long-term and strong support for Ukraine. She emphasised that Ukraine’s needs are only growing due to the war and that it is crucial not only to continue the support but also to provide it promptly. “What has already been done and what is being done now is very important for us, but the speed and quality of this assistance are critical,” stressed the Chair of the Committee.

The Ambassador noted that the Netherlands is very closely monitoring the situation on the frontline and in Ukraine in general. He is convinced that personal visits by politicians and government representatives to Ukraine help them better understand the situation and Ukraine’s needs. The Prime Minister of the Netherlands recently visited Ukraine and went to Zaporizhzhia. The Minister of Defence visited Kharkiv, and the Minister of Foreign Affairs receives weekly reports on the situation in Ukraine. Ukraine remains very high on the agenda in the Netherlands. “We have provided 1,6 billion euros in financial assistance to Ukraine. Further 10 billion euros has been allocated for military assistance, of which 4,5 billion has been spent on direct assistance and the rest through joint mechanisms,” said Alle Dorhout.

The parties discussed the presidential elections in the United States, which will impact the course of Russia’s war against Ukraine, its relations with NATO, and the security situation in Europe and globally.

Ivanna Klympush-Tsintsadze emphasised that a just and lasting peace in Ukraine and Europe as a whole is impossible without Ukraine’s membership in the North Atlantic Alliance. “We must clearly convey to Russia that Ukraine’s membership in NATO is not under discussion. This is not a subject of bargaining or negotiations and never will be,” said the Committee Chair. She noted that concrete steps are needed to bring Ukraine closer to the Alliance. She also stated that bilateral security guarantees, which are certainly important, cannot replace membership in the Alliance. They are, rather, promises of assistance, not guarantees of deterrence against Russia. “I understand that Europe is watching the US elections with bated breath, but its security is under threat. Regardless of the results of these elections, concrete actions are needed for the sake of security in Europe,” said Ivanna Klympush-Tsintsadze.

They also discussed the domestic political situation in Ukraine. The Chair of the Committee on Ukraine’s Integration into the EU is convinced that under martial law, it is crucial not to cross the line and not to use it as an excuse for excessive restrictions. This primarily concerns freedom of speech, the activities of the opposition, and maintaining the balance of power. According to her, for 33 years since the proclamation of Ukraine's independence, Parliament has played an important role in preserving this independence. It must continue to fulfill this function in the future. Ivanna Klympush-Tsintsadze also emphasised the need to significantly strengthen Ukraine's institutional capacity as the basis for successful European integration.