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Dutch PM-elect Jetten says not yet time to talk to Putin
Incoming Dutch prime minister Rob Jetten on Friday ruled out talks with Russia over the war in Ukraine, as he unveiled a new government programme including firm support for Ukraine.
Speaking to AFP after publishing his governing manifesto, the 38-year-old said he would not speak to Moscow as there were currently "no indications" Russia wanted to end the war in Ukraine.
"And as long as the aggression continues, we will continue our support for the Ukrainian people," he said.
The 79-page manifesto, hammered out after weeks of tough talks between Jetten and his two coalition partners, pledged no let-up in Dutch support for Kyiv.
"The fight in Ukraine is about the security of the whole of Europe," said the document entitled "Getting to Work".
"So we are continuing our own multi-year financial and military support and we will continue to argue for the use of frozen Russian assets," the manifesto said.
The new administration also pledged to anchor in law the NATO defence spending minimum of 3.5 percent of economic output pushed by US President Donald Trump.
Asked about relations with the United States following an unseemly spat between Washington and Europe over Greenland, Jetten called for more European independence.
"I'm a little bit worried that people in Europe are mainly complaining about what's happening in the US," Jetten said.
"We should be having a much stronger debate about what can Europe do for itself," he added.
Jetten, from the centrist D66 party, will now form a cabinet, aiming to be sworn in by mid-February.
He is on course to become the youngest leader of the European Union's fifth-largest economy and the first to be openly gay.
Jetten led his party to a stunning election victory in October, narrowly defeating the far-right Freedom Party headed by firebrand anti-Islam politician Geert Wilders.
The fragmented nature of the Dutch political system means lengthy coalition haggling follows an election.
Jetten finally clinched a deal with two centre-right parties but will not enjoy a majority in parliament, meaning the government will need the support of other parties to pass legislation.
P. Gomes--JDB
