Macron and Rutte show support for kyiv, but remain cautious on aircraft deliveries
Emmanuel Macron and Mark Rutte during a joint press conference in The Hague, January 30, 2023. REUTERS - YVES HERMAN
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French President Emmanuel Macron was in The Hague in the Netherlands, where he gave a joint press conference on Monday evening January 30 alongside Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte.
Together, the two leaders emphasized the war in Ukraine and their common support for that country.
With, in the background, the burning question of arms deliveries.
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With our correspondent in The Hague
,
Antoine Mouteau
After some praise for the, according to him, "
good Franco-Dutch relations
", Prime Minister Mark Rutte quickly got to the heart of the matter which is on everyone's lips here in the Netherlands, as everywhere in Europe.
“
It is only together, in Europe, but also as France and the Netherlands, that we can do our best to help Ukraine, but also to ensure that Ukraine wins this war and that Russia loses it.
»
The Netherlands and France are close partners with a long history.
We work together at various levels – bilaterally, in the EU and as firm NATO Allies – and we discussed all these aspects of our cooperation during our meeting this evening.
— Mark Rutte (@MinPres) January 30, 2023
And yet, when asked by a journalist about the possible delivery of Dutch F16s to Ukraine, Mark Rutte replied that it was not yet in question.
On possible deliveries of French fighter planes, same caution on the side of Emmanuel Macron.
“
I will very simply tell you that by definition, nothing is excluded and that we always assess things in view of three criteria.
The first is that it be requested, useful, given the training and delivery times for the Ukrainian army.
The second criterion is that it is not escalatory.
That is to say that the equipment we deliver is not likely to touch Russian soil.
The third criterion is that it does not weaken the ability of the French army to protect its own soil and our nationals.
»
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Joint press conference by President @EmmanuelMacron and Prime Minister of the Kingdom of the Netherlands Mark Rutte.
https://t.co/yEi3NFEQZV
— Elysee (@Elysee) January 30, 2023
Emmanuel Macron's visit to The Hague comes a few days after that of the German Foreign Minister.
She had called for the creation of a special tribunal to prosecute the Russian leaders.
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To read also: EU: Emmanuel Macron visits the Netherlands to talk about industry
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