The President secured the support of the Netherlands for the necessity of full implementation of the Minsk agreements, which is important given the Dutch presidency in the EU starts on January 1, 2016.

President of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko and Prime Minister of the Netherlands Mark Rutte discussed the implementation of the Minsk agreements, which is crucial not only for the existence of independent Ukraine, but also for the entire regional, European and global security.

“Today, we were talking about sanctions and I received firm confirmation that in conditions when the Russian party doesn’t fulfill the Minsk agreements, sanctions would be prolonged,” Petro Poroshenko emphasized.

“Deterring aggression in the east of Ukraine and annexation of Crimea, we are fighting for our common values,” the Head of State emphasized. Petro Poroshenko expressed gratitude to the Dutch people and government for their permanent and firm support in that process. “It is crucial for us. The EU’s decision to impose sanctions against Russia, a country-aggressor, which annexed Crimea and does not implement the Minsk agreements, is a key instrument that will ensure peace and stability on the Ukrainian land,” the President said.