Spanish, Dutch diplomats reflect on Ukrainian-Russian scene

Spain has joined the growing number of countries sending aid to Ukraine.
Spain’s Ambassador to Egypt Ramon Gil Casares told The Egyptian Gazette that his country is helping Ukraine under European Union (EU) auspices.
“We have sent aid to refugees and people still in Ukraine. We are also helping them politically both within the EU and the United Nations. This is complex and critical issue,” he said.

The Spanish envoy went on to say that his country has gone along with sanctions imposed by the EU on Russia.
“So we are going to impose them even though they are going to be also painful for us, but Russian attacks are absolutely unacceptable.
“We are reacting in every possible way without escalating into military field,” he said.
“Through these sanctions, we express our total rejection of Russian aggression against Ukraine. Through these sanctions we are sending a message that Russia has violated the UN charter and international law.”
The ambassador said Spain is sending military aid as part of the package sent by the EU.
“We account for about 9 per cent of total military aid sent by the EU,” he said.
On the occasion of International Women’s Day, the ambassador said Ukrainian women are suffering immensely.
“You see the images in the news all the time: women are fighting, leaving behind their husbands and children. They will be able to finish all of this soon and recover their country, children and loved ones. We stand in heartfelt solidarity with them,” he said.

In a related context, Netherlands Ambassador to Egypt Han-Maurits Schaapveld described events in Ukraine as “terrible”.
“We are all thinking of the suffering of Ukrainian people in general and Ukrainian women in particular on International Women’s Day. We definitely hope this will stop as soon as possible and that those responsible are brought to account,” he said.
“The Netherlands is sending both military and humanitarian aid. Ukrainian refugees are also very welcome in Holland at the moment,” he said.
While the ambassador has misgivings about the third round of Ukrainian-Russian negotiations, he said: “We have to be optimistic.”
He added that sanctions on Russia are reactions to the attacks.
“Russian attacks had started already before new sanctions were imposed. We hope the sanctions will have an effect. We hope that people in Russia who are pushing for war will think again.”