Toespraak minister Ruben Brekelmans (Defensie) bij de overdracht mijnenbestrijdingsvaartuigen in Zeebrugge
De toespraak is alleen beschikbaar in het Engels.
Minister Francken, Deputy Minister Churkin, Chargée d’Affaires Anoshyna, Admirals, esteemed partners from Ukraine and other member nations of the Maritime Capability Coalition,
Good morning. It’s great to see you all here on this meaningful and memorable occasion.
Mariupol. Melitopol. Henichesk. Just three and a half years ago, these were names many people in Western Europe were unfamiliar with. They were distant places on the map – quiet, less known. But today, these names carry weight. Today, when Europeans hear them, they recall haunting images of cities under siege, of families taking shelter, of showing courage in the face of terror.
These city names have become symbols. Not just of suffering, but of resistance. Symbols of a future in which Ukrainian ports are once again safe. A future in which the Black Sea is open and free and occupied cities are returned into Ukrainian hands.
As of today, these names will sail proudly across the waves – with Mariupol set to follow by the end of this year – carried by former Belgian-Dutch minehunters, bearing a new flag, a new mission, and a new purpose. These ships are the result of intensive collaboration between Ukraine, Belgium, and the Netherlands, under the umbrella of the Maritime Capability Coalition, led with great foresight by the UK and Norway.
Strong partnerships are not forged in moments of comfort, but in times of hardship. Let me take this moment to thank the Ukrainian crews who have trained tirelessly, the Belgian and Dutch trainers and technicians, our maintenance crews, the shipyards, and all those who have supported this mission. You brought a new purpose to these ships and crews, and you did it together.
And our support doesn’t end here. In the coming years, until these ships can sail to the Black Sea, Belgium and the Netherlands will continue to support these ships financially while they operate from their new home port in Portsmouth. There, they will join their sister ships – Cherkasy and Chernihiv – former British minehunters, now proudly carrying the Ukrainian flag.
From Portsmouth, they will train and operate together, preparing for the day when access to the Black Sea via the Bosporus reopens. Together, they will form a modern, NATO-interoperable mine countermeasures squadron. And yes, on July 6th, we expect them to take part in their first international exercise: ‘Sea Breeze’, alongside NATO navies – a beautiful testament to how far you have come!
While the war in Ukraine rages on land and in the air, with relentless drone and missile attacks and brutal fighting at the frontline, a strong and capable navy also remains crucial to Ukraine’s survival. The Great Ports of Odessa, together with the sea lines of communication across the Black Sea, form the backbone of the Ukrainian economy.
Every day, these gateways to the world are under threat. By missiles, drones, and mines – the latter being silent, deadly, and indiscriminate. Ukraine may not win the full scale war at sea – but it can certainly lose it there. We simply cannot allow that to happen.
That’s why Belgium and the Netherlands are fully committed to strengthening Ukraine’s maritime security: to defend Ukraine today and deter the threats of tomorrow. Because even if a ceasefire is reached, our mission remains clear: to build a strong, resilient Ukrainian navy that is fully aligned with NATO capabilities.
Ladies and gentlemen,
Since 24 February 2022, Ukraine has stood at the front line of the greatest challenge to European security since the Second World War. This war is existential – not only for Ukraine, but for all of us who believe in freedom, the rule of law, and the right of sovereign nations to determine their own future.
The Ukrainian navy has already defied expectations and rewritten the rules of naval warfare. With boldness and brilliance, it has pushed back a far larger fleet, defending not only its shores, but the values we all share. As the Netherlands Minister of Defence, I stand here with confidence and pride as we entrust these ships to a navy that has shown the world what courage, creativity, and determination can achieve.
So, to the brave crews of Henichesk and Melitopol, I say this: Sail with pride, and carry the spirit of your nation with you. Your mission is not without danger, but it is essential for the freedom, security, and future of Ukraine. You are not only protecting your shores, you are defending our values and shaping the course of history. I wish you fair winds and following seas.
To all of you here today – let us continue this journey together, determined and united. Let us stand firm in our shared commitment to Ukraine’s freedom. We need to make a difference. Together, we can make that difference.
Thank you.