The Netherlands now views Russia as an enemy, not an aggressor, says Defense Min.

Dutch Defense Minister Dilan Yeşilgöz-Zegerius delivers a strong rebuke against Russia during a debate in Parliament. 8 Oct. 2026 - Credit: - License: All Rights Reserved Politics Thursday, 8 October 2026 - 13:40

Russia is no longer an "aggressor" but an "enemy," Dutch Defense Minister Dilan Yeşilgöz-Zegerius said Thursday during a debate on the defense budget. The minister used the budget debate to draw attention to what she thinks is a growing threat from Russia.

“Russia is no longer the aggressor. That is a euphemism you will not often hear from me again.” The Netherlands cannot afford to be "naive" about the matter, the VVD politician continued.

“Russia is our enemy. And no, that does not mean we are at war. But a carefree peace is also very far away,” Yeşilgöz said. “It is not without reason that intelligence and security services warn that Russia is preparing for the possibility of a conflict with NATO, and that means we must be alert and resilient.”

As such, Dutch forces are acting accordingly, she added. Dutch troops are training in Estonia to “show” Russia that NATO is ready to defend its eastern border. “Security is no longer a given. Reality has imposed itself on us,” the minister said. Therefore, military strength should be strengthened even further, Yeşilgöz added.

The Russian embassy in the Netherlands was unnerved by the minister's statement, and asked if she was speaking on the Cabinet's behalf. "Should her statements be considered as an official declaration of a shift towards direct military confrontation with Russia?" the embassy wrote in a statement on Telegram.

"By publicly branding Russia an "enemy" of the Netherlands, Ms Yeşilgöz-Zegerius has once again demonstrated The Hague's commitment to its destructive course of confrontation. In fact, she has shamelessly revealed her desire to provoke an armed conflict with our country," Russia's diplomatic mission said.

"We will not tolerate attempts to address Russia in the language of threats and ultimatums. Any encroachment upon the security and sovereignty of the Russian Federation will be met with an immediate, swift and crushing response."

“Russia is testing Western society, including ours,” Yeşilgöz said during the debate. "If you have an enemy like Putin, who is not open to a good conversation and a cup of coffee... then you also have to show that you stand strong together."

Last week, Peter Reesink, the chief of military intelligence agency MIVD, warned about the threat of possible Russian attacks. The number of related incidents is rising, he said, and further escalation can be possible. “A cornered cat makes strange leaps.”