Dutch Defense Minister Warns of Prolonged Russian Aggression Urging Long-Term Support for Ukraine

The Minister of Defense of the Netherlands, Ruben Brekelmans, believes that Russia’s war in Ukraine will not end in 2024, and called for long-term support for Ukraine.

This was stated by Brekelmans in an interview with LRT (Lithuanian National Radio and Television).

When asked about the possible timing of the end of the war, Brekelmans said that he does not think that the war will end this year or the next. He also emphasized that the situation on the battlefield in Ukraine is very difficult.

“That means we have to do more, but we also shouldn't raise our expectations too high, because sometimes people think that the Russian invasion was a sprint that turned into a marathon, but it's actually a 42km long sprint, so we have to continue to deliver support for Ukraine, we have to work hard to help Ukraine,” said Brekelmans, noting that the allies have to look at the long-term perspective and make sure that the people in Europe continue to want to support Ukraine in the long-term.

The Minister also emphasized that Russia is “really powerful” and can continue this war for a long time.

“Of course, if you look at the estimates of what the Russian military industry will be able to produce and the number of people they are able to mobilize, these numbers are really, really huge. Russia plays a numbers game and it is very difficult for Ukraine to defend against it, so we should take the Russian threat very seriously both on the battlefield and, of course, not forgetting that it is a nuclear power,” Brekelmans stated.

He also noted that Russia is conducting a hybrid war that not only Lithuania faces every day, but the Netherlands and other European countries also do.

Earlier this month, the Netherlands, along with seven other EU countries, advocated for imposing restrictions on the travel of Russian diplomats within the European Union amid concerns that Russian diplomats may be covert agents engaged in influence operations, sabotage, and espionage.