Speech by Jan van Zanen at the Ukraine remembrance concert, 24 February 2025

 

Commander of the Armed Forces,

Excellencies,

Especially: Anatolii Solovei, Chargé d’Affaires for Ukraine,

Dear all,

 

Today we remember the war raging in the east of our continent.

In Europe.

For three long years now.

A war which, to this day, has spread only death and destruction.

And driven countless people from their homes.

Around four thousand women, men and children have found refuge in The Hague.

Here today, in the international city of peace and justice, a powerful music signal will sound.

From this Nieuwe Kerk, where Spinoza, the philosopher of peace and compassion once found his final resting place.

This concert by the Royal Military Band ‘Johan Willem Friso’, sends a clear message.

A sign of solidarity with the long-suffering people of Ukraine and its brave soldiers.

A moment of reflection, too.

Because here we live in peace.

For eighty years now.

But we need to remember that our peace and freedom are by no means guaranteed.

During a working visit last June I saw for myself what the war in Ukraine has done.

In Bucha I saw the graves of the fallen soldiers.

With new ones added every week.

I saw the mass grave that has been discovered there, not far from the local church.

Bullet holes in the church bearing silent witness to the atrocities committed there by the Russian army.

 

My trip was part of the mission of the Association of Netherlands Municipalities (VNG) that is closely involved with reconstruction projects in Ukraine.

For this it works with its counterpart organisation in Ukraine.

Three members of The Hague city council visited Lviv and Odesa to show support and solidarity.

However, it is about more than just solidarity, support and reconstruction.

Above all, this war is about justice.

The Russian aggression is counter to everything The Hague stands for:

Peace, justice and non-violent conflict resolution.

As a centre for international law, The Hague is actively involved in helping to achieve justice for Ukraine.

Of course, in cooperation with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

This commitment is demonstrated with two key bodies already based in The Hague:

The International Centre for the Prosecution of Russia’s crime of aggression against Ukraine and the Register of Damage for Ukraine.

President Putin will always be welcome here.

To answer to the International Criminal Court, that is.

 

We all want peace for Ukraine, sooner rather than later.

And it has to be a just and lasting peace.

Something which is in the interests of not just Ukraine, but all of Europe.

A war of aggression against a sovereign nation should never, ever be rewarded.

And in that spirit, I wish you all a memorable concert.

Slava Ukraini.