Further Russian aggression against Ukraine will have serious consequences - Rutte

Rutte said this at a joint meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and journalists in Kyiv on Wednesday, February 2, according to an Ukrinform correspondent.

"The Netherlands is very clear that further aggression against Ukraine will have serious consequences. In the EU, we are working in partnership with the United States to prepare a strong package of sanctions. The Netherlands will support Ukraine as soon as it can. We say that we offer our help, in particular in repelling cyberattacks," he said.

Rutte also stressed that the only solution to de-escalation in eastern Ukraine is diplomacy and dialogue.

"Every effort must be made to defuse escalation and tension. I believe that the only solution to de-escalation is diplomacy. This is a dialogue that should continue between Russia and the United States, Russia and NATO, and between the countries of the Normandy format -- Ukraine, Germany and France," Rutte said.

Earlier reports said that Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte and Dutch Foreign Minister Wopke Hoekstra arrived had in Ukraine on a two-day visit.

Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki and British Prime Minister Boris Johnson arrived in Kyiv on February 1.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is also expected to visit Ukraine this week.

Photo credit: President's Office

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