War in Ukraine: support from the Netherlands in pictures | Ministries

Following the Russian military occupation of Crimea and parts of eastern Ukraine in 2014, the large-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine began on February 24, 2022. Since then there has been war in Europe. The Netherlands has supported Ukraine from the start of that war and continues to do so. This page contains a series of stories from Ukraine that show why unconditional support is and remains necessary.

Ukrainians are fighting for their lives and their freedom. But they also fight for the freedom and security of all of Europe. That is why the Netherlands supports Ukraine for as long as necessary. We support Ukraine in various ways. Military, humanitarian, diplomatic and financial.

Five people involved talk about the war crimes they witnessed up close, why prosecuting war criminals is so important and how the Netherlands contributes to this.

‘Innocent people were shot dead in cold blood. In the middle of the street, with their hands tied.’

Read the whole story here.

After an occupation of more than a month, the Ukrainian city of Bucha, located just outside Kyiv, was liberated from the Russian army on March 31, 2022. Immediately after the liberation, the horrific crimes committed by Russia became clear. These crimes must not go unpunished.

‘It is important that war criminals are also called criminals, so that the wives and children of Russian soldiers do not think they are heroes. Many Ukrainians have lost their homes, been robbed, raped or even murdered. Children in occupied territories were taken to Russia, illegally given up for adoption to Russian families and then turned into Russians from Ukrainians. It is very important that the Russians are held accountable for these crimes.’

Read the story of eyewitness Andriy Halavin here.

Female entrepreneurs hold the key to economic recovery

Everywhere in Ukraine we are working hard to restore this, but the key to economic recovery is in the hands of women. On International Women’s Day, Maryna Saprykina talks about how her organization, CSR Ukraine, helps women develop as entrepreneurs.

Women are often the breadwinners, with their husbands at the front. That is why we believe it is important to provide these women with tools so that they can secure a good existence for their family. But as entrepreneurs they also help their community. They pay taxes and create jobs. Very important, because that also helps us to maintain this tough war.

Read the whole story here.

Doing business has changed dramatically

The war in Ukraine has drastically changed doing business in the country. The Dutch government supports entrepreneurs who want to play a role in keeping the Ukrainian economy running and thus help early reconstruction.

Read here how the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Netherlands Enterprise Agency help entrepreneurs do business in Ukraine.

The Dutch embassy in Kyiv is working hard to coordinate all support for Ukraine. Our diplomats are also committed – together with other countries, but also with Ukraine itself – to ensure that the country can continue the fight.

Dutch diplomats talk about what it is like to work in a country at war, and what they do to support Ukraine in the fight against Russia.

This is not only a war at the front, but certainly also a culture war. Russia deliberately attacks cultural targets in an attempt to erase Ukrainian culture and identity. At the embassy we look at what the Netherlands can do to support Ukraine in the cultural field.

Read the whole story here.