Visiting Brazil, Dutch PM Mark Rutte Will Explain The Importance Of Defending Ukraine To President Lula

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky when receiving a visit from Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte. (Source: President.gov.ua)

JAKARTA - Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte said he would explain the need to defend Ukraine in a war with Russia, when he will meet Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva who criticized weapons assistance to Kyiv on Tuesday, when he started his visit to the country.

"We need to help Ukraine in this war," PM Rutte told reporters.

PM Rutte further said he would explain to President Lula why the issue of supporting Ukraine is "extential" for the Netherlands, for Europe and the world, as the Russian invasion has risked Western values.

"If Putin succeeds in Ukraine, but I don't think he will, I don't think he will succeed, the problem won't end there. People are worried about their own safety, in Amsterdam, in Berlin, in Paris and across Europe," he explained.

Earlier, President Lula, who had tried to push countries that were not involved in the conflict to form a group to encourage peace negotiations, said supplying weapons to Ukraine was actually pushing for war.

The call led the United States Government to accuse it of imitating propaganda carried out by Russia and China.

It is known that the Dutch government is considering donating F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine, along with its European partners.

"We discussed intensely with Denmark, England, several other parties in Europe and also the United States regarding the F-16," said PM Rutte in Sao Paulo.

However, a deal is first needed between all partners, as they did before supplying Panzer howitzers and Leopard tanks to Ukraine, he said.

"The debate is ongoing," said PM Rutte.

The plan is for PM Rutte to make a three-day visit accompanied by a business delegation, to hold talks focused on trading and cooperation for sustainable agriculture, energy transition, especially hydrogen.