Minister Brekelmans does not rule out negotiations between Ukraine and Russia

Minister of Defense Brekelmans does not rule out negotiations between Russia and Ukraine, he says in an interview with Trouw. As far as he is concerned, European leaders must take the lead before the incoming American president Trump does.

Trump will be inaugurated as president of the United States on January 20 and has repeatedly said he wants to quickly end the war in Ukraine. “We must ensure that European countries are at the table, so that Trump does not decide with Putin about the security architecture in Europe,” says the VVD minister.

It is the first time that Brekelmans has discussed the option of peace negotiations so openly. Until now, the government’s position was that negotiations should only begin when Ukraine is ready.

Since Trump was elected in early November, the conversation in Europe has “gained momentum”, says Brekelmans. Last Thursday, French President Macron and Polish Prime Minister Tusk spoke in Warsaw about a peace process.

According to the minister, with 27 member states it is difficult for the European Union to agree on decisions about a possible peace force. “Given the rush, you can decide not to wait for unanimity in any context.” That is why he mentions the option of doing this with a group of countries.

“Ukraine is large and that ceasefire line – if it were to come – is long. If you want to do that in a credible way, you not only need many countries, but also large countries,” the minister said in Trouw.

Brekelmans does not want to anticipate possible Dutch participation. “It depends on what exactly is in front of you and what that looks like.”

He still supports the policy that the Netherlands will not join the fight in Ukraine. “No boots on the groundbecause we do not want a direct confrontation between NATO and Russia.” But participating in a peace mission is something different, according to him. “It is about maintaining peace.”