Netherlands sends heavy weapons to Ukraine — Prime Minister

Mark Rutte

THE HAGUE, April 19. /TASS/: The Netherlands already sends armored vehicles to Ukraine and considers sending additional heavy weapons, Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte tweeted Tuesday after the phone call with Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky.

"In a call with [Zelensky], [Dutch Defense Minister Kajsa Ollongren] and I expressed our support as Russia begins a renewed offensive. The Netherlands will be sending heavier materiel to Ukraine, including armored vehicles. Along with allies, we are looking into supplying additional heavy materiel."

Russian President Vladimir Putin said in a televised address on February 24 that in response to a request by the heads of the Donbass republics, he had made a decision to carry out a special military operation in Ukraine. The Russian leader stressed that Moscow had no plans of occupying Ukrainian territories, noting that the operation was aimed at the denazification and demilitarization of Ukraine. In response, the West imposed wide-scale sanctions against Russia.