Dutch prime
minister Mark Rutte had a 45-minute meeting with Russian president Vladimir
Putin on Friday to discuss human rights, ahead of the start of the Sochi Winter
Olympics.
Rutte
lobbyed for a meeting with Putin following widespread criticism of the Netherlands'
decision to send its prime minister, king and queen to the Olympics.
During the
meeting, Rutte repeated the Dutch objections to Russia's new law on gay
'propaganda', he told Nos television. About 30 minutes of the meeting was
devoted to human rights.
The
relationship between the Netherlands and Russia is 'so good that we can discuss
difficult subjects,' Rutte is quoted as saying.
Putin
reportedly spoke of his gratitude that king Willem-Alexander will be at the
opening ceremony on Friday evening.
Gordon
Rutte has
also been in contact with Dutch singer Gordon about the situation facing gay
people in Russia on Friday, Nos television says.
Earlier in
the day Gordon, who made international headlines last year for his jokes about
Chinese people on a tv talent show, published an open letter to Rutte,
condemning the heavyweight Dutch delegation to the games.
'You should
be extremely embarrassed that you can sit there with dry eyes,' Gordon says on
his Facebook page.
Putin has beer with Dutch king, speaks about Sochi Games features
"Goed gesprek" Rutte en Poetin (+Video) (Dutch)
Dutch prime minister has date with Putin to discuss human rights
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"Goed gesprek" Rutte en Poetin (+Video) (Dutch)
Dutch prime minister has date with Putin to discuss human rights
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