“We all want to see the Russian dictator in the Hague”: Zelensky speaks at International Criminal Court

President Volodymyr Zelensky spoke at International Criminal Court (ICC) in the Hague, expressing confidence that the president of the aggressor state Russia, Vladimir Putin, will be convicted of war crimes in Ukraine. 

In the speech broadcast by a national telethon, he said that Ukraine would do everything possible to make this war the last in Europe.

"Dear people of the Netherlands, we are pleased to be here today, in your strong country, in the land of freedom and justice, basic values…" the president said. "Of course, we all want to see Vladimir [Putin] here, in the Hague, one who deserves to be convicted of criminal acts. This must be done here in the capital of international law. I'm sure it will happen when we win. And we will win."

In his speech, the head of state also emphasized that Ukraine cannot allow hybrid immunity (for war criminals) or hybrid peace associated with suspending hostilities at the front.

"Only reliable peace, real peace, real freedom, real justice. This is exactly what we need now," Zelensky said.

On Thursday, May 4, the President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelensky, began a visit to the Netherlands. Zelensky arrived at the Senate at 9 am local time and met with the speaker of the House of Representatives, Vera Bergkamp, and the head of the Senate, Jan Anthonie Bruijn.

He was scheduled to visit the ICC and meet with ICC President Piotr Hofmański and ICC Registrar Osvaldo Zavala Giler. Zelensky is expected to meet with the Prime Minister of the Netherlands, Mark Rutte, and the Prime Minister of Belgium, Alexander de Croo, in a trilateral format. There will also be an audience with King Willem-Alexander and a visit to the base of the Netherlands Air Force.

Zelensky arrived in the country on the government plane of the Netherlands immediately after a visit to Finland, where the Ukrainian president participated in the Nordic-Ukrainian summit and bilateral meetings with the leaders of all Nordic European countries.