Relevant Dutch gas Australia promises drone delivery Zelenskyj
03/31/2022, 1:25 pm
Ukrainian President Zelenksyj appealed to governments around the world with video messages. He calls for stronger sanctions against Russia and more arms deliveries. It is also about renouncing Russia’s energy supply. The Netherlands plays an important role here.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called on the Netherlands to boycott Russian energy supplies. “Be ready to stop Russia’s energy exports so as not to pay billions for the war,” he said in a video address to parliament in The Hague. In his speech, the Ukrainian president also called for “stronger” sanctions and the “cessation of all trade” with Russia.
He also said this in his speech to the Australian Parliament. “Powerful sanctions” are needed before Moscow stops “extorting other countries with its missiles”. At the same time, Russia must be prevented from circumventing the punishments. Shortly after Russia invaded Ukraine, Australia imposed severe sanctions and has expanded them several times.
For weeks now, Zelensky has been sending video messages to governments and parliaments around the world, asking for their support in the war and for Russia to stop providing energy. Australia has already sent AU$91 million in military assistance to Ukraine as well as humanitarian aid. Prime Minister Scott Morrison promised more equipment, including drones, just before Zelenskyj’s speech. Zelenskyy also asked for Bushmaster armored vehicles, which the Australian army uses. This would help strengthen the Ukrainian armed forces.
“Weapons to Evict the Occupant”
He also demanded that the Netherlands provide more weapons, notably Stinger anti-aircraft missiles and rocket-propelled grenades. “We need weapons to drive out the occupier.” Zelenskyy is the first foreign head of state to address parliament. The President urged Prime Minister Mark Rutte to work towards Ukraine’s rapid accession to the EU. “Our EU membership depends on you.”
The president also recalled the bombing of Rotterdam by the German National Socialists in 1940. History threatened to repeat itself. “The Second World War started with the attack on some countries, then came the bombings in Rotterdam and London.”
As for the embargo on energy imports from Russia, as is already in place in the US, it has so far encountered resistance from the EU. The reason is also the attitude of the federal government, which is concerned with security of supply in Germany. Russia is Europe’s most important natural gas supplier.
In an attempt to reduce dependencies, the Netherlands is also being analyzed. The country is home to Europe’s largest natural gas field. However, due to repeated earthquakes in the region around Groningen, where the field is located, the government has promised residents that it will stop gas production within the next two years. Because of the war in Ukraine, however, there is room to produce more gas in Groningen than originally – and possibly more.