During a visit to Kyiv, Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof pledged to intensify efforts to prevent Dutch-made components from ending up in Russian weaponry. Calling the situation “highly undesirable,” Schoof said the Netherlands, in coordination with the European Union, is developing stronger measures to stop sanctions evasion and punish companies involved in indirect supply routes.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, speaking alongside Schoof, criticized European nations for allowing restricted materials to reach Russia through intermediaries despite ongoing sanctions. He urged stricter enforcement, describing the continued flow of such products as “simply strange.”
Schoof reaffirmed the Netherlands’ commitment to Ukraine, emphasizing that both governments are in constant communication to address the issue. He noted that stopping the re-export of sensitive technology is a top priority for maintaining the effectiveness of international sanctions.
During the visit, Zelensky awarded Schoof the Order of Prince Yaroslav the Wise, First Class — one of Ukraine’s highest honors — in recognition of the Netherlands’ continued humanitarian and military support. The two leaders also paid tribute to fallen Ukrainian soldiers at a memorial in Kyiv.