Speech by Minister Claudia van Bruggen in Ukraine

Your Excellencies,
Ladies and gentlemen,

This morning I joined the mayor of Lviv, Andriy Sadovyi, in laying a wreath at Lychakiv Cemetery. We paid our respects to all the Ukrainian soldiers and civilians who have been killed in this terrible war with Russia.
In my own country, too, today is also a day of silent remembrance. 
A day when we think of all those who died in the Second World War and the many other wars and conflicts in the years since then.
This evening we will commemorate them with the laying of wreaths, and two minutes of silence across our nation.
In those two minutes of silence, we will reflect on all the victims of war, including those from Ukraine. On all your compatriots who should still be with us today.

But to me, remembrance is not simply an act of silent reflection.
To me, it’s also an expression of hope: the hope that things will get better, and justice will be achieved.

Hope that goes hand in hand with responsibility.
And with action.
You find that hope in all kinds of things, both big and small. And above all in helping each other wherever possible.

So, when the Deputy Head of the Department for Execution of Criminal Sanctions, Oleksandr Nikonishyn asked us for help in keeping Ukraine’s prisons functioning at this difficult time, we were more than happy to do so. 
My ministry’s Custodial Institutions Agency was soon hard at work, supporting our Ukrainian partners in meeting these critical needs.
I’m delighted that we are able to donate twenty buses for prisoner transportation. To help enhance security as much as possible.
We are also helping wounded Ukrainian soldiers recuperate in the Netherlands. And happily, in mid-April a number of them were able to return home.

I look forward to signing the memorandum of understanding, together with my Ukrainian counterpart, acting Minister of Justice Liudmyla Suhak, on exploring further ways we can support Ukraine’s prison system.

Caring for prisoners is a challenging job even under normal circumstances, but in a time of war it must be especially difficult. 
So I have all the more respect for the specific request that Ukraine made. It asked the Netherlands and other European countries to help ensure that it can continue providing humane detention facilities for its prisoners.

Humane facilities, despite the lack of resources and personnel.
Despite the overcrowding. 
And despite the major security risks posed by Russian missile strikes. 

No one can predict how bravely and nobly people will behave under pressure.
For us, the people of Ukraine are a shining example in that regard. And so the Netherlands is absolutely determined to continue supporting you.

I’d like to close by quoting from an inspirational poem by Lesya Ukrainka, as a tribute to Ukrainian identity. It is called ‘Contra spem spero’, or in English, ‘Against All Hope I Hope’.
I was deeply impressed by the steadfast resilience to violence and pain expressed in this poem. A poem written back in 1890, as Ukraine suffered under the weight of oppression. 
I hope that this English translation will do justice to her words:

Yes, I will laugh despite my tears,
I’ll sing out songs amidst my misfortunes;
I’ll have hope despite all odds,
I will live! Away, you sorrowful thoughts!

Ladies and gentlemen, 
As well as hope, the message of this poem is one of courage.
The courage shown by the Ukrainian people, day in and day out. 
The courage that inspires us, as your allies, to continue standing shoulder to shoulder with Ukraine.
Thank you.