Ukrainian President Zelenskyy tells parliament: ‘Russia counts dollars, not the dead’
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Tuesday addressed the Tweede Kamer and Eerste Kamer in The Hague, calling on Dutch lawmakers to maintain sanctions against Russia and ensure accountability for the war in Ukraine, urging the European nations to use frozen Russian assets to support Ukraine.
He accused Russian President Vladimir Putin of valuing money and power over lives. “Putin does not care about his people. He cares about money and power,” Zelensky said, noting that Russia sends thousands of soldiers to their deaths each month. “Russia counts dollars, not the dead.”
Zelensky detailed recent talks in Berlin with U.S. representatives, describing them as “intense” and focused on a plan to end the war and guarantee security.
“Every detail counts. Because no detail should make it possible for Russia to think that war pays off and to start a new war,” he said.
The Ukrainian president criticized Russia’s repeated attacks on infrastructure and what he described as hypocritical complaints when Ukraine counterattacks. “As if Russia is the only country allowed to complain, and the only country allowed to carry out attacks,” he said.
Forum voor Democratie lawmakers were absent, with party leader Lidewij de Vos citing disagreements with the speech format on X. Other parties attended.
“Today, the Tweede and Eerste Kamer factions of Forum voor Democratie will not attend Zelensky’s speech in our parliament. If we had been given the opportunity to ask questions, we would of course have attended, but the current format is fundamentally flawed: it implies that this is ‘our war’ and constitutes a disguised show of support," Lidewij de Vos wrote on X. "We do not lend ourselves to that. Instead of backing further escalation through Zelensky, we should insist that the U.S. and Russia sit down and reach a deal so that peace can finally return to our continent.”
Zelensky arrived overnight at Rotterdam The Hague Airport under heavy security, including armored vehicles, mobile police units, and military police. Parts of the airport were temporarily closed.
This visit marks his third to the Netherlands since the Russian invasion in 2022. Zelenskyy first addressed Dutch lawmakers via video link on March 31, 2022, shortly after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. His most recent address took place in June 2025 in the Tweede Kamer during the NATO summit in The Hague
Later Tuesday, Zelensky is scheduled to meet with caretaker Prime Minister Dick Schoof and other ministers for lunch, meet King Willem-Alexander, and attend a conference at the World Forum in The Hague.
It has also become known that the International Claims Commission for Ukraine, which will assess and validate damage claims from the war, will be based in The Hague, announced caretaker Foreign Affairs Minister David van Weel. “Ukrainians will be able to report the damage they suffered to a damage register. This register will be converted into the claims commission, which will also validate the reported damage. Establishing the new commission here is therefore the most efficient and a logical step,” Van Weel said.
He acknowledged potential diplomatic and security risks. “Of course, we must always consider that Russia will not be pleased with this,” Van Weel said, though he described the risk as “limited.” He stressed that the commission is essential for holding Russia accountable: “It is important that accountability is also given for the actions and crimes Russia has committed.”
Council of Europe Secretary-General Alain Berset said at least 86,000 claims have already been submitted to the Ukrainian damage register. The commission will determine eligibility for compensation for Ukrainian citizens, businesses, and organizations. Funding is expected to come from frozen Russian assets, though details have not yet been finalized.
Zelensky also outlined Ukraine’s financial needs, estimating 45 billion euros in annual support if the war continues, and expressing hope to use the funds for reconstruction if fighting ends.
He voiced support for German Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s proposal for a Christmas ceasefire and an energy infrastructure truce, while noting that previous agreements of this type failed due to violations and disputes.