War in Ukraine: Belgian King Philippe expresses ‘great anger’ at Russia
As Russia’s assault on Ukraine draws on, Europe’s military assistance remains of vital importance. On Friday, the Belgian King Philippe is on a one-day trip to Romania to thank Belgian soldiers for their services in his capacity as Belgium’s Commander-in-Chief. In the meantime, the Russian Ministry of Defence has announced that two Belgian fighters have been killed on the front line in Ukraine.
The King stressed the importance of military cooperation with NATO and also met Romania’s President, reported Le Soir. During a short speech, King Philippe expressed his “enormous anger” towards Russia’s aggression.
“A sovereign state has been brutally attacked, before our eyes, in flagrant violation of international law… Weapons have claimed lives and plunged our continent into war,” he said.
Belgium’s monarch hopes that there may be a way to end the fighting and that “we can rebuild a free and prosperous Ukraine… Our values will triumph: democracy, freedom, solidarity and respect for human rights.”
Brutal war
During an economic mission to the United States last week, Philippe’s sister, Princess Astrid also spoke of the “brutal war in Europe” and the consequences “of such an unjust conflict on Ukrainian families, their economy, our economies.”
In the meantime, the Russian Ministry of Defence has announced that two Belgian fighters have been killed on the front line in Ukraine. The Russian state agency RIA reported this on Telegram.
On RIA's Telegram page the state agency published figures on 'foreign mercenaries' which it obtained from the Russian Ministry. They show that since 24 February some 14 Belgians have gone to the front. Two of them have been killed, a number of others have already returned home. However, these figures cannot be independently verified and are entirely attributed to Russia.
The Belgian Foreign Office says it has no independent confirmation for the time being. "We are following it closely."
(AHU)
© BELGA PHOTO ERIC LALMAND - King Philippe - Filip of Belgium pictured during a royal visit to the Belgian military detachment in Constanta on the Black Sea in Romania, Friday 17 June 2022.