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Rutte to sit down with farmers in Ukraine
Prime Minister Rutte visited Ukraine on Monday. The Prime Minister also took the time to talk to Dutch farmers who have their businesses there. He once again emphasized the need for a properly functioning export device. Rutte promised that the Netherlands can offer support in the agricultural field, but also in the ports.
Prime Minister Rutte arrived in Kiev by train from Poland on Monday morning. He paid a lightning visit to war-torn Ukraine. The prime minister spoke with President Volodomir Zelensky, among others. Rutte also visited the country just before the war started.
Last week Rutte was in the agricultural news when he promised to sit down with farmers in the Netherlands. First it was the turn of some emigrated entrepreneurs in Ukraine.
"The Netherlands is good at port development, agriculture and everything that has to do with water," Rutte told The Telegraph† With that expertise, the Netherlands can help the country get back on its feet. According to the newspaper, for example, there was talk of 'adopting' the southern port city of Kherson, which is still in Russian hands.
Around the table with agricultural entrepreneurs
The Black Sea ports are crucial for Ukraine and therefore also for the agricultural sector. Six Dutch agricultural entrepreneurs emphasized this during a short dinner just before Rutte returned to the Netherlands.
It concerns a number of farmers and processors who are active in Ukraine, including Kees Huizinga† "We emphasized at Rutte that the Black Sea ports are crucial for the export of grain from Ukraine," explains Huizinga. "Now that happens overland and via the Danube River. That is also very important, but these roads can only handle a quarter of the total export need."
'New Holodomor on the way'
Huizinga expects that if Ukrainian wheat, rapeseed and sunflower seed do not reach the world market, it will lead to famine in countries that depend on Ukrainian products. Rutte also reminded Dutch farmers of the "Holodomor" in 1933, when an estimated 5 to 10 million people in Ukraine died of famine as a result of the policies pursued by the Soviets.
Huizinga is satisfied with Rutte's words. "He gives us hope by saying that Ukraine must win the war. The mood in the country is good and we continue to fight, each in his own way. The only solution is to win the war." The Netherlands has so far delivered €172 million worth of military goods to the country. The six entrepreneurs underlined the need for more help.
Niels van der Boom
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