Zelensky lands in Netherlands in surprise visit, eyes ICC meeting

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
4 May 2023 09:17

Dutch media say Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky will visit the International Criminal Court and is expected to deliver a speech there.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy at a news conference at the Presidential Palace in Warsaw, Poland, April 5, 2023 (Reuters)

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky arrived at Amsterdam's airport late Wednesday for an unannounced visit to the Netherlands, with a trip to the International Criminal Court (ICC) on his agenda, local media reported.

Dutch news agency ANP said Zelensky, making his first visit to the Netherlands, landed at Schiphol airport after attending a Nordic summit in Helsinki.

ANP published a dark photo of an aircraft, claiming it was the Dutch government plane probably carrying the Ukrainian leader.

Zelensky will visit the ICC, which is based in The Hague, the news agency said. In March, it issued an arrest warrant for Russian President Vladimir Putin.

According to public broadcaster NOS, the Ukrainian President is also expected to deliver a speech in The Hague entitled "No peace without justice for Ukraine."

A meeting with Dutch MPs is planned, as well as talks with Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte, ANP reported, citing unnamed sources.

Since the start of the conflict in February 2022, the Netherlands has pledged both financial and military support to Ukraine.

Last month, the EU announced that it would buy 14 Leopard 2 tanks with Denmark to give to Kiev, which is demanding more heavy weapons.

Zelensky made another surprise visit to Finland on Wednesday, promising that this year would be "decisive" in dealing with Russia.

"I believe that this year will be decisive for us, for Europe, for Ukraine, decisive for victory," he told reporters during a joint press conference with his Finnish counterpart Sauli Niinisto.

Zelensky also denied that Ukraine launched an attack on Putin after Moscow confirmed it have shot down two drones launched against the Kremlin compound.

The Dutch government plane that picked up Zelensky flew on Wednesday from a Polish airport to Helsinki, NOS indicated.

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