Robert Serry, first Ambassador of the Netherlands to Ukraine between 1992 and 1996
Ukraine may become more important for European security than NATO’s Article 5
Robert Serry, the first Dutch ambassador to Ukraine from 1992 to 1996, was born and raised in the Netherlands. He was appointed to his ambassadorship after Ukraine declared its independence from the Soviet Union in 1991. Serry vividly recalls his first visit to Ukraine in 1980, when he was a Second Secretary at the Dutch Embassy in Moscow. He was sent to Kyiv to deliver books to a Ukrainian professor, but the trip also exposed him to the turmoil and challenges faced by Ukrainians during the Soviet era.
During his time in Kyiv in the early 1990s, Serry became deeply immersed in Ukrainian culture and formed close relationships with locals. He was particularly struck by the sense of unity among Ukrainians across different regions, which he believed was a reflection of their shared history and identity. Serry felt a strong personal connection to Ukraine and became determined to support its growth and development as an independent nation.
After his tenure as ambassador, Serry continued to be involved in Ukrainian affairs, serving in various diplomatic roles and advocating for the country's interests. In a recent interview with Ukrinform, Serry reflected on the changes Ukraine has undergone over the past thirty years and the importance of its experience for Europe. He also discussed the ongoing conflict in Ukraine and the role of international support in resolving the crisis.
Written by urgent.news from Ukrinform - Politics's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
