Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo met Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal on Monday evening to discuss the situation in Ukraine and Belgium's military, humanitarian and diplomatic support.
The bilateral meeting – also attended by Foreign Minister Hadja Lahbib and Defence Minister Ludivine Dedonder – was an opportunity to take stock of the latest developments in the war in Ukraine and of the aid that Belgium has been providing for more than six months.
"Belgium recently released €8 million to provide first aid, winter equipment and pharmaceutical products. From the start of the conflict between Ukraine and Russia, our country has taken its responsibility," De Croo stated. "We will continue to do so, even if Vladimir Putin decides to turn it into a war of attrition."
The ministers reiterated Belgium's respect for the "tremendous resilience" shown by the Ukrainian people since 24 February. In the short term, it is a question of assisting the Ukrainian armed forces now that winter is approaching and offering the population as much help as possible in the coming cold and difficult months.
'Full commitment'
Lahbib added that Belgium will continue to support Ukraine on a multilateral level. "We will do everything in our power to ensure that the perpetrators of war crimes are punished and their victims receive justice."
She reiterated that Belgium was one of the first countries to ask the International Criminal Court (ICC) to investigate and to provide additional resources. "Last week's decision by the Council of Ministers to support Ukraine in its complaint to the International Court of Justice for genocide is testament to our country's full commitment."
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Defence Minister Ludivine Dedonder, meanwhile, stated that Belgium will continue to support the Ukrainian army by sending military and medical equipment and by taking care of the first reception of the wounded.
On a diplomatic level, they reiterated Belgium's support of Ukraine's process of accession to the European Union, as well as its full support for the reconstruction of Ukraine – as previously requested by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
