Dutch gov't "ambitious" about higher NATO standard, hopeful about peace in Ukraine

The Cabinet is looking at a higher NATO standard with an “ambitious attitude,” Prime Minister Dick Schoof said in a parliamentary debate on the shifting rations now that Donald Trump is the president of the United States. This did not go down well with PVV leader Geert Wilders. A parliamentary majority gave the Cabinet space to see if it could get a seat for the EU and Ukraine at the “peace talks” between the U.S. and Russia.

VVD leader Dilan Yeşilgöz had asked how the Cabinet views the upcoming NATO summit, where increasing the NATO standard is one of the most important points on the agenda. The liberals are positive about an increase of the standard, which is currently 2 percent of the GDP spent on Defense. An increase is on the table because the Americans demand it, but also because of the Russian threat.

“That cannot be something between you and the VVD alone,” Wilders responded. He only wants to spend more money on Defense if money also goes to things that benefit citizens, such as lower rents, lower VAT on groceries, and lower gas bills - reiterating the PVV’s demands for the budget update. Wilders wants the Cabinet to “distribute the ambitions equally.”

Schoof said he had not promised anything, but did point out that there is immense pressure from the US and NATO to set a higher standard. “So we will really have to face that.” A higher standard is also in the interest of security in the Netherlands and Europe, he said. More money for defense will entail “difficult choices.”

Schoof said that he feels the “space and trust” from parliament to talk to European partners about lasting peace in Ukraine. Though he stressed that he would not make any decisions without involving the people’s representatives.

Schoof did not want to rule out anything, including Dutch participation in a military force that should keep the peace in Ukraine. Wilders is also vehemently against that. According to Schoof, the Netherlands “must also be able to bring something to the negotiating table.” It is important that Ukraine receives full support in the coming period and that the pressure on Russia remains high.

The Netherlands must deal with a "new reality", the prime minister said. The American government wants to end the war quickly and wants Europe to spend much more money on defense. According to him, it remains of "crucial" importance that the United States and Europe continue to work together. Otherwise, Europe will become "wing-lame".

The cabinet assumes that the negotiations will result in a "lasting peace", Schoof said. But the defense must still be strengthened because according to him, the Russian threat will not simply disappear.

The Prime Minister is looking into whether the Cabinet needs to allocate more funds for Ukraine. Schoof added that there is enough money on the shelf for Ukraine for now if action is needed quickly. The Ukraine budgets for 2025 are still “largely available” and can be used “at any time,” he said. “And it is not about small money.” That is why the Cabinet does not want to rush to make additional funds available.

Laurens Dassen (Volt) believes that the Prime Minister should decide much sooner to allocate more money. “The one signal after another that we are now receiving from these negotiations is shocking,” said the party leader, referring to talks between the US and Russia on the war in Ukraine. “Action is needed now.”

The Netherlands has so far provided approximately 6 billion euros in military aid to Ukraine. It involves a diverse package consisting of F-16s, ammunition, medical kits, and tanks, among other things. Minister Ruben Brekelmans of Defense says that 5 billion euros in reserved money has not yet been spent, but that there are advanced plans for this. The VVD Minister said that more money is needed “if we want to remain at the same level for 2026 and beyond.”

Frans Timmermans (GroenLinks-PvdA) and Dilan Yeşilgöz (VVD) submitted a motion in which they requested more money for Ukraine. There seemed to be sufficient support in parliament for this during the debate. Timmermans finds the reports about the negotiations between Russia and the United States disturbing. They only increase the urgency of support for Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Timmermans said. “The stronger he is, the more resources he has, the stronger he can stand against Russian aggression.”