Ukraine war: Zelensky makes surprise visit to Netherlands

Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky unexpectedly travelled to the Netherlands on Wednesday, with a trip to the International Criminal Court 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 International Criminal Court (ICC), which is based in The Hague, the news agency said. In March, he issued an arrest warrant for Russian President Vladimir Putin. The Ukrainian president is also expected to deliver a speech in The Hague entitled “No peace without justice for Ukraine”, according to public broadcaster NOS. A meeting with Dutch MPs is planned, as well as talks with Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte, ANP reported, citing unnamed sources. The Netherlands has pledged both financial and military support to Ukraine since the Russian invasion in February 2022. The EU nation announced last month that it would buy 14 Leopard 2 tanks with Denmark to give to Kyiv, 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 claimed to 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, according to NOS. With inputs from agencies. Read all the  Latest News,  Trending News,  Cricket News,  Bollywood News, India News and  Entertainment News here. Follow us on  Facebook,  Twitter and  Instagram.