Dutch Defence Minister Calls Russia an Enemy, Not Just an "Aggressor"
Dutch Defence Minister Dilan Yeşilgöz-Zegerius told parliament during a defence budget debate that she will no longer describe Russia as an "aggressor" but as an enemy. The Russian embassy has demanded an official explanation and called the remarks belligerent.
Dutch Defence Minister Dilan Yeşilgöz-Zegerius said in the Netherlands' parliament, during a debate on the national defence budget, that Russia should no longer be called an "aggressor", describing the word as a euphemism. In her words, Russia is the Netherlands' enemy. The shift in language reflects growing security threats across Europe, and the Russian embassy has already responded with sharp criticism.
What the minister said
"Russia is our enemy. And no, that does not mean we are at war. But carefree peace is also very far away," the minister said. She cited warnings from intelligence and security services that Russia is preparing for a possible conflict with NATO, saying the Netherlands must remain vigilant and resilient.
According to her, the new wording does not signal an immediate turn in national defence policy. Speaking to the Dutch broadcaster NOS during a break in the debate, she stressed that the country is not at war and will not suddenly adopt a different stance. She noted that since Russia's renewed invasion of Ukraine in 2022, the Netherlands has increased defence spending, stepped up vigilance and cooperated with its European allies.
Intelligence warnings
The Dutch intelligence service AIVD stated earlier this year that national security is under greater pressure than at any time since the Second World War. Last week, Peter Reesink, head of Dutch military intelligence, warned that the number of incidents linked to possible Russian attacks is rising and that further escalation is possible.
Moscow's reaction
The Russian embassy has demanded that Dutch authorities provide an official and unambiguous explanation of the minister's words. Russian diplomats called her rhetoric "belligerent and irresponsible" and described her remarks as a de facto admission of a desire to fight Russia. They also said Russia would not allow itself to be addressed in the "language of threats and ultimatums", but did not specify how that would be manifested.
