Dutch Minister Brings 3 Million Euro for Chornobyl Shutdown

Netherlands Foreign Minister Jozias van Aarsten (center) was asked, when visiting Kyiv, to “exert influence” on the IMF so that the latter unfreezes credit for Ukraine. Quite an apt question, for the Netherlands represent Ukraine’s interests both at the IMF and World Bank. Mr. van Aarsten seemed to be heeding, among other things, the wishes expressed by Ivan Pliushch that the West “be warmer toward Ukraine,” Interfax-Ukraine reports. The minister promised to take measures with respect to the IMF, said the Netherlands might finance the Ukrainian budget, and in addition announced that his kingdom had earmarked 3 million euros for Chornobyl Nuclear Power Plant closure.