You're reading: Reuters: Dutch PM Rutte says ‘a bit more optimistic’ on Ukraine deal at EU summit

Reuters: Dutch PM Rutte says ‘a bit more optimistic’ on Ukraine deal at EU summit

Published Dec. 15, 2016 at 2:01 pm

Netherland's Prime minister Mark Rutte addresses the media as he arrives for a European Union leaders summit focused on Russia sanctions and migration at the European Council in Brussels on Dec. 15, 2016.

Photo by AFP

Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte said on Dec. 15 he was “a bit more optimistic” that EU leaders would back additional caveats to the bloc’s landmark agreement with Ukraine, key to helping the former Soviet state move out of Russia’s orbit.

Rutte has demanded the additional guarantees to be able to overwrite a rejection of the Ukraine agreement by Dutch voters last April. EU leaders are expected to endorse that on Dec. 15.