The war in Ukraine may last a long time, but the West should continue to support the country in all possible ways, said the Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte during the visit to Kyiv.

"This war may last longer than we expected and hoped. But that doesn't mean we will stand idly by and watch it unfold from the sidelines. We must remain focused and continue our support in every way", Rute said today at a press conference with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.

Rutte also visited Bucha, Irpin and Borodyanka – three towns in the Kyiv region that were occupied by Russian forces at the start of the war and have become symbols of the atrocities committed there.

The Dutch Prime Minister also announced the delivery of new long-range artillery systems, as well as financial aid for Ukraine in the amount of 200 million euros.

This is Rutte's first visit since the invasion of Ukraine began on February 24.

After the meeting with him, Zelenski on Telegram welcomed the "constructive" conversations he had with Rute and thanked the Netherlands, which he wrote was "part of the first top 10 friends of the country".