DON’T MISS
IamExpat FairIamExpat Job BoardIamExpat Webinars
Newsletters
EXPAT INFO
CAREER
HOUSING
EDUCATION
LIFESTYLE
EXPAT SERVICES
NEWS & ARTICLES
Home
Expat Info
Dutch news & articles
Rutte labels Putin paranoid as Russian forces enter Ukraine
Never miss a thing!Sign up for our weekly newsletters with important news stories, expat events and special offers.
Keep me updated with exclusive offers from partner companies
By signing up, you agree that we may process your information in accordance with our privacy policy

Rutte labels Putin paranoid as Russian forces enter Ukraine

Never miss a thing!Sign up for our weekly newsletters with important news stories, expat events and special offers.
Keep me updated with exclusive offers from partner companies
By signing up, you agree that we may process your information in accordance with our privacy policy
or
follow us for regular updates:



Related Stories

Answering all your questions about the upcoming Dutch electionsAnswering all your questions about the upcoming Dutch elections
Dutch law in 2022: Here's what's changing in the Netherlands next yearDutch law in 2022: Here's what's changing in the Netherlands next year
Why Rutte IV collapsed and what it means for the future of Dutch politicsWhy Rutte IV collapsed and what it means for the future of Dutch politics
Mark Rutte stepping back from politics, resigns as VVD leader Mark Rutte stepping back from politics, resigns as VVD leader
November 22 confirmed as date of next Dutch general electionNovember 22 confirmed as date of next Dutch general election
August 2023: 6 things expats in the Netherlands need to knowAugust 2023: 6 things expats in the Netherlands need to know
July 2021: 13 things changing in the Netherlands from todayJuly 2021: 13 things changing in the Netherlands from today
July 2022: 11 changes coming to the Netherlands this monthJuly 2022: 11 changes coming to the Netherlands this month
For expats of all colours, shapes and sizes

Explore
Expat infoCareerHousingEducationLifestyleExpat servicesNews & articles
About us
IamExpat MediaAdvertisePost a jobContact usSitemap
More IamExpat
IamExpat Job BoardIamExpat HousingIamExpat FairsWebinarsNewsletters
Privacy
Terms of usePrivacy policyCookiesAvoiding scams

Never miss a thing!Sign up for expat events, news & offers, delivered once a week.
Keep me updated with exclusive offers from partner companies
By signing up, you agree that we may process your information in accordance with our privacy policy


© 2025 IamExpat Media B.V.
© 2025 IamExpat Media B.V.
Feb 22, 2022
Victoria Séveno
Victoria grew up in Amsterdam, before moving to the UK to study English and Related Literature at the University of York and completing her NCTJ course at the Press Association in London. She has a love for all things movies, animals, and food. Read more

Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte has responded to the news of Russian forces entering Ukraine on Monday night, labelling President Vladimir Putin as “paranoid” and condemning the country’s show of force. 

Russia recognises Donetsk and Lugansk, forces enter Ukraine

After weeks of anticipation, tensions between Russia and Ukraine reached boiling point on Monday night as Putin officially recognised the independence of two Ukrainian states, Donetsk and Luhansk, in a televised broadcast. Shortly thereafter, news broke that the Russian president had ordered troops into eastern Ukraine as part of a “peacekeeping mission.”

While Putin remains adamant that forces in Ukraine “are being instructed to maintain the peace”, the Ukrainian president, Volodymyr Zelensky, has accused Russia of violating the integrity and sovereignty of his country. The Kremlin writes that the move was carried out at the request of the People’s Republics of Donetsk and Lugansk. 

It remains unclear how large Russia’s deployment will be and what military action will be taken, but in spite of the Kremlin’s insistence that the troops have been ordered to keep the peace, the move to cross the border means the country has become militarily active in Ukraine. 

Putin is totally paranoid, Dutch Prime Minister says

The news from Russia arrived as the Dutch Prime Minister discussed the escalating situation in Eastern Europe on the talk show Jinek. As part of his interview, Rutte had proclaimed that, as part of the European Union, the Netherlands would impose “enormous sanctions” on Russia should the country take military action against Ukraine.  

In response to news of Russia’s “peacekeeping mission”, Rutte told presenter Eva Jinek that Putin was “of course, totally paranoid.” The Prime Minister voiced his fears that the latest move from Russia could be the first step towards a Russian invasion of the Donbas region in Ukraine, and he was quick to leave the show after the news broke in order to look into the consequences of Russia’s decision, saying he found it “uncomfortable” to sit there any longer. 

US President Joe Biden has already imposed sanctions and has condemned Russia’s decision. The EU is yet to take any decisive action, but in his interview on Monday Rutte confirmed that the EU was preparing a “limited package of sanctions.” The Dutch government announced last week that the Netherlands would supply Ukraine with military supplies, and on Tuesday the EU announced it had agreed to carry out military training in Ukraine.

By Victoria Séveno