Yeşilgöz now officially calls Russia an enemy
The Russian embassy asks The Hague whether the statement signifies an official change of course.
Defence Minister Dilan Yeşilgöz called Russia an enemy during the Lower House debate on the defence budget. The Russian embassy in the Netherlands is seeking clarification, while the cabinet stresses that the new wording is not, in itself, a declaration of war.
Yeşilgöz said in the debate that President Vladimir Putin is challenging and testing the Netherlands and other European countries. She linked this to acts of sabotage, cyberattacks and other security incidents. According to the minister, the Netherlands must make clear through military deterrence that it is not naïve.
The wording stands out because Dutch ministers generally refer to Russia as an aggressor, adversary or threat. In this context, the word enemy has primarily a political and strategic meaning. It does not automatically alter the legal relationship between the Netherlands and Russia.
The Russian embassy responded on social media and asked the Dutch government to confirm the words or distance itself from them. According to the embassy, the statement gives the impression that the Netherlands is steering towards an armed confrontation. The embassy did not substantiate that interpretation with any announced Dutch decision.
In the same Lower House debate, Yeşilgöz said that the Netherlands wants to prevent war and that deterrence, in her view, can actually prevent escalation. MPs from parties including the SP emphasised diplomacy and negotiations. As a result, the debate was not only about language, but also about the balance between military support and diplomatic efforts.
The government has previously opted for higher defence spending and support for Ukraine. The Ministry of Defence describes Russia in the Defence White Paper as the greatest direct threat to European security. The new statement fits that line, but does not thereby announce any separate new policy.
For the Lower House, the main question is how sharp the political language should be and how much money should be made available for it. For Moscow, the wording is grounds for a diplomatic protest. For Dutch citizens, the wording itself changes nothing about their legal position or the country’s formal status.
One story, several perspectives
What is established
- Yeşilgöz used the word enemy for Putin and Russia during the defence debate.
- The Russian embassy asked for clarification.
- The cabinet links the statement to deterrence, support for Ukraine and existing defence plans.
Left
Arguments Military strength may be necessary, but language portraying Russia as an enemy can complicate diplomacy and intensify the arms race. The Netherlands should invest in negotiations, cyber resilience and European diplomacy.
Values De-escalation, international cooperation and protecting public spending for healthcare and social security.
Consequences Less confrontational language and more diplomacy could limit the risk of escalation, but allies could also interpret them as weakness.
Centre
Arguments The Netherlands must both deter and keep communication channels open. The term can identify the threat without every element of policy changing.
Values Institutional reliability, solidarity with allies and risk management.
Consequences A combination of defence investment and diplomacy requires long-term funding and clear explanations to the Lower House.
Right
Arguments Russia tests European boundaries and, according to this approach, responds primarily to clear strength and unity. The word enemy makes the seriousness of the threat understandable.
Values National security, deterrence and responsibility towards NATO allies.
Consequences Higher defence spending and tougher language could strengthen deterrence, but also increase tensions with Moscow.
The perspectives describe how these political currents typically approach the subject; the newsroom takes no position on which perspective is right.
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The text is based on the official Lower House debate, the Defence White Paper and the reported response from the Russian embassy. Interpretations of the consequences of the word are presented as interpretations.
- confirmed Yeşilgöz called Putin and Russia an enemy during the defence debate. — This is visible in the official plenary record. source
- confirmed The Russian embassy asked for clarification. — ANP reported on the embassy’s response. source
- confirmed The statement is not a formal declaration of war. — No formal decision or legal declaration to that effect has been reported; the Lower House debate concerned the defence budget. source
Editor's note
Yeşilgöz’s statement and the Russian protest have been confirmed. The meaning of the word enemy is political and strategic; no separate declaration of war or direct new military decision has been announced.Sources
- Plenaire verslagen, vergadering 8 oktober 2026 — Tweede Kamer
- Begroting Defensie, eerste termijn Kamer — Tweede Kamer
- Russische ambassade wil opheldering over opmerking Yeşilgöz — ANP via Zeelandnet
- Defensienota 2026 – Samen voorwaarts! — Ministerie van Defensie
More on this in Dutch media
- AD — „dilan yeşilgöz”
- de Volkskrant — „dilan yeşilgöz”
- RTL Nieuws — „dilan yeşilgöz”