Warning of Russia, Dutch PM confident on Ukraine deal

Netherlands' Prime Minister Mark Rutte holds a news conference during an EU Summit at the European Council headquarters in Brussels, Belgium December 15, 2016. REUTERS/Eric Vidal

KIEV/THE HAGUE (Reuters) - Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte said he was confident parliament would approve a European Union compromise designed to rescue a cooperation accord between Ukraine and the bloc after Dutch voters rejected it in a referendum.

Kiev and most EU capitals see the association agreement as crucial support for Ukraine against a Russia that is playing an assertive foreign policy role across Europe and the Middle East.