Russia
Ukraine
Europe & EU
Moldovan President Sandu visits The Hague for talks with Dutch Prime Minister Jetten
Moldovan President Maia Sandu will be received by Dutch Prime Minister Rob Jetten on Wednesday. The meeting will focus on "the strong bilateral relationship" between the two nations, according to the Dutch Government Information Service (RVD). During a working lunch at the Catshuis, the official residence of the
Russia
Dutch King, Queen and cabinet avoided Russian delegation at Venice Biennale
King Willem-Alexander, Queen Máxima and the Dutch Minister of Culture deliberately avoided all contact with the Russian delegation during their visit to the Venice Biennale. This emerges from answers by Minister Letschert (Education, Culture and Science) to parliamentary questions from Volt MP Laurens Dassen. 💡Our analysis: Contacts with Russia
Russia
The Netherlands finds location in The Hague for ‘Russia-tribunal’
The Netherlands has taken an important step towards establishing a special tribunal for Russian war crimes in Ukraine. A suitable location has been found in The Hague where the preparatory phase of the so-called aggression tribunal can be housed. This was announced by Minister of Foreign Affairs Tom Berendsen.
Europe & EU
New step in Ukraine’s EU accession expected in June
The Dutch cabinet expects the next formal step in Ukraine’s accession process to take place in June. At that point, negotiations on the first cluster could begin. The first cluster consists of the chapters covering economic criteria, the functioning of democratic institutions, and public administration reform.
Ukraine
The Netherlands donates prison transport buses to Ukraine
The Netherlands is donating twenty prison transport buses to Ukraine’s prison service this year, according to a press statement by Minister for Legal Protection and Prisons, Claudia van Bruggen. She formally handed over the first four vehicles in the western Ukrainian city of Lviv. Ukraine’s prison system has
Ukraine
Greater role for Dutch business sector in Ukraine
The Dutch cabinet wants to involve the Dutch business community more prominently in the development and reconstruction of Ukraine.
NATO & Defense
Netherlands extends training of Ukrainian troops, moves training from United Kingdom to Germany
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
Europe & EU
What is the Dutch foreign policy for the coming years? 'Strategically European', Russia is the biggest threat, greater independence from the US
The Dutch cabinet wants to become more “strategically European”, even to the point of considering European nuclear weapons in cooperation with France. Russia is seen as the main threat. The Netherlands aims to maintain good relations with the US, while also becoming less dependent on its long‑standing and trusted
Ukraine
NL: Dutch weapons at Russian Volunteer Corps ‘not verifiable’
The Dutch cabinet says it cannot determine whether Dutch weapons have ended up in the hands of the Russian Volunteer Corps, a far‑right militia that is part of Ukraine’s International Legion. This was written by Minister for Foreign Trade Sjoerdsma, also on behalf of the ministers of Foreign
Russia
New Dutch Ambassadors to Russia, Ukraine, Iran, Israel, Turkey and Venezuela
The Dutch cabinet has approved the appointment of eleven new Dutch ambassadors. The proposal was submitted by Minister of Foreign Affairs Berendsen. The appointments are still subject to the consent of the receiving countries and are expected to take effect this summer. Among the appointments are six (geo)politically sensitive
Dutch politics
Dutch support for Ukraine rises to more than €20 billion
Since the start of the Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022, the Netherlands has spent more than €20 billion on Ukraine or on Ukrainian refugees. Funding commitments run through to 2029, according to a new parliamentary document released by the Dutch cabinet.