Baudette asks for clarification on the impact of Dutch policy on Ukraine and the United States.

On September 26, 2022, the Nord Stream pipeline was blown up. Almost all Western politicians, academics, and media outlets immediately spread the narrative that Russia had committed the attack. There was no clear evidence, nor was the logic behind the claim: would it really be obvious that Moscow would blow up its own pipeline?

From the beginning, the Forum for Democracy was the only party in the Netherlands that asked questions and kept other explanations open. And rightly so, since it is now clear that Ukraine was behind the attack – even with Zelensky’s approval. Why was misinformation about the perpetrators spread all this time and those who kept other explanations open were vilified? And why did Sjoerd Sjoerdsma – who at the time was a member of parliament for the ruling party D66 – receive an award from Zelensky for his “unwavering support” for Ukraine? Why did Dirk Boswick and current Defense Minister Ruben Brekelmans – then members of parliament for the ruling parties CDA and VVD – run a think tank that was supposed to work to strengthen the global leadership of Ukraine’s most important ally, the United States?

Could foreign influence, perhaps even funding from Ukraine and/or the United States, have played a role? FVD faction leader Thierry Baudet is asking the cabinet for clarification and calling for an investigation.

Baudette's questions to Interior Minister Judith Uttermark (NSC) can be read below.

Questions from Member Baudette to the Minister of the Interior regarding investigations into whether (former) government parties or politicians affiliated with (former) government parties were funded with money from Ukraine or the United States

1. Do you think that government agencies might have an interest in influencing Dutch domestic policy? Can you explain your answer?
2. What forms of foreign influence does the Dutch state recognise and define? Does this also include foreign funding, the spread of disinformation, awards to Dutch politicians by foreign entities, and the management of think tanks with a specific foreign national interest?
3. According to the Dutch state, which government agencies might try to influence Dutch domestic policy and why? Can you explain your answer?
4. Do you think Russia might have an interest in influencing Dutch domestic politics? If so, why? If not, why not?
5. Do you think the US might have an interest in influencing Dutch domestic politics? If so, why? If not, why not?
6. Do you think Ukraine might have an interest in influencing Dutch domestic politics? If so, why? If not, why not?
7. Do you think that disinformation has spread in the Netherlands about the Nord Stream pipeline bombing, since it became clear on August 14 that Ukrainians – with the knowledge of at least Ukrainian President Zelensky – were behind this act of aggression, while – from the first moment after the attack until August 14 – the narrative was spread by almost all Western politicians, academics and media that Russia was the perpetrator? Could you please clarify your answer?
8. Did you know that former D66 MP Sjoerd Sjoerdsma received a presidential award from the Ukrainian authorities – for his “unwavering support” for Ukraine during the period when his party was in the Dutch government?
9. Did you know that former Liberal Party minister and deputy, Ruben Brekelmans, and Christian Democrat MP, Dirk Boswick, are or were members of the Atlantic Committee – at least during the period when they were MPs for a party that was in the Dutch government? Did you know that the Atlantic Committee is the Dutch branch of the American Atlantic Council – an entity that claims to promote American global leadership?
10. In your view, is it desirable that (former) Dutch government parties or politicians belonging to (former) government parties spread disinformation about the motives behind foreign acts of aggression with enormous international consequences – in this case about the motives behind the bombing of the airport? The Nord Stream pipeline; that they are distinguished from foreign state actors by their “unwavering support” for that state actor – in this case by Ukraine; or that they are part of the boards of directors of think tanks with specific foreign national interests – in this case the interests of the United States? If so, why? If not, why not?
11. Are you prepared to ask the Court of Audit in the short term to investigate whether, in what way and in what manner, the (former) government parties and politicians affiliated with (former) government parties in the Netherlands from 2014 onwards – in part through foreign funding (financial or in kind) – were influenced by Ukraine or the United States? If not, why not? If so, are you prepared to inform the Council of the results of this investigation as soon as possible? Could you please explain your answer?
12. Can you answer these questions as quickly as possible and separately?