The Dutch government wants its armed forces to be visibly more deployable by 2026, for national and allied tasks. In the Defence Policy Letter 2026, the focus shifts from rebuilding capacity to immediate military readiness, a response to what the ministry describes as a sustained decline in Europe’s security environment.
Governing party D66 is seeking clarification from the cabinet over the rapidly deteriorating humanitarian, economic and security situation in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo.
The Netherlands is extending its military training support for Ukraine until the end of 2028 and will shift a large part of that effort from the United Kingdom to Germany. Defence Minister Yeşilgöz announced this in a letter to parliament ahead of the EU Foreign Affairs Council (Defence) meeting on
The Dutch government condemns calls by Israeli ministers to annex Lebanese territory and describes statements about a possible occupation of southern Lebanon as “deeply concerning”. This was written by Foreign Affairs Minister Berendsen in answers to parliamentary questions. According to the cabinet, the annexation of Lebanese territory would be in
Dutch Minister of Foreign Affairs Tom Berendsen still considers the United States an ally, but acknowledges that the country has become “less predictable.” In an interview with Algemeen Dagblad, Berendsen says the Netherlands remains dependent on the US for its security, while at times disagreeing with the actions of the