Zelenskiy and Schoof: Joint Press Conference on Ukraine Reparations

Establishing Justice for Ukraine

• 💡 The Netherlands and Ukraine signed an agreement to establish an International Claims Commission to address war damages caused by Russia.
• 🎯 This commission, hosted by the Netherlands under the Council of Europe, aims to ensure accountability for Russia's aggressive campaign against Ukrainian infrastructure, economy, and population.
• 🔑 The Hague, as an international city of peace and justice, is deemed a fitting location for Ukrainians to seek compensation for damages.

Netherlands' Steadfast Support

• 🚀 Dutch Prime Minister Schoof highlighted the Netherlands' commitment to Ukraine, including a €700 million defense package for the upcoming year.
• 🛡️ An additional €50 million has been contributed for the procurement of F-16 jets and air defense systems from the United States.
• ✅ President Zelenskiy expressed gratitude for the Netherlands' consistent and principled support, emphasizing its impact on protecting lives and enabling defense.

Financial Accountability and Recovery

• 💰 The Netherlands strongly advocates for using frozen Russian assets to provide recovery loans to Ukraine, ensuring Russia ultimately pays for the war.
• ⚖️ Both leaders stressed the importance of international law working to ensure legal responsibility and compensation for Ukraine's losses.
• 🛠️ Ukraine is actively preparing the necessary legal infrastructure to hold Russian perpetrators accountable, supported by the Netherlands.

Current Battlefield Realities

• ⚠️ President Zelenskiy informed partners about the challenging situation on the battlefield, noting Russia's continuous attempts to create false impressions.
• 💪 Ukrainian forces are holding positions against severe Russian assaults, despite the immense difficulty.
• ⚡ Russia's ongoing strategy includes mass attacks on Ukraine's energy infrastructure during winter, necessitating continuous restoration efforts.

Diplomatic Pathways to Peace

• 🤝 Discussions are ongoing with American and European partners regarding a peace plan, with a future meeting expected between US and Russian sides, followed by a meeting with Ukraine.
• 🌍 The European Council will address Ukraine's urgent financial needs for 2026 and 2027, with a focus on sustainable solutions.
• 🕊️ The ultimate goal is a durable and just peace for Ukraine, which cannot be achieved without justice for the millions affected by Russian aggression.