Dutch Defense Minister Dilan Yeşilgöz-Zegerius called Russia an "enemy" during a budget debate, provoking a strong response from the Russian embassy in the Netherlands, which denounced bellicose rhetoric and demanded official clarification.
AI-generated summary
The statement comes amid heightened tensions between Russia and NATO, particularly after the invasion of Ukraine, with Dutch intelligence services warning of Russian preparation for possible conflict with the Atlantic alliance.
A short sentence uttered by the Dutch Minister of Defense during a budget debate in the House of Representatives of the States General caused serious diplomatic tensions with Russia this Thursday, October 8. Having described Moscow as an “enemy” and no longer an “aggressor”, Dilan Yeşilgöz-Zegerius incurred the wrath of the Russian embassy in the Netherlands which, in a press release published on the encrypted messaging service Telegram, questioned the meaning of this semantic change.
“Is this an official declaration announcing a direct military confrontation?” asked Soviet diplomacy. “Russia is no longer the “aggressor”. You won't hear me use this euphemism often anymore. We must not be naive... Russia is our enemy. No, this does not mean that we are at war, but a carefree peace is also very far away,” the minister had nevertheless clarified in her diatribe.
“It is not without reason that the intelligence and security services are warning that Russia is preparing for the possibility of conflict with NATO, which means that we must remain vigilant and resilient,” assured the leader of the People’s Party for Freedom and Democracy (VVD) and deputy prime minister, who, for the Russian embassy, “has never stood out for her diplomatic tact or her restraint.”
“Warlike and irresponsible” rhetoric
This time it would have “exceeded all conceivable limits of the acceptable”. “By publicly calling Russia an “enemy” of the Netherlands, Ms Yeşilgöz-Zegerius has once again demonstrated The Hague’s attachment to its destructive policy of confrontation. In fact, she shamelessly revealed her desire to provoke armed conflict with our country. We repeat: Russia has no aggressive intentions towards Europe in general or towards the Kingdom of the Netherlands in particular,” the Russian press release continues.
“We expect the Dutch authorities to provide official and unequivocal clarifications regarding the bellicose and irresponsible rhetoric of their Minister of Defense,” says the embassy, which took the opportunity to reiterate its “peaceful” intentions towards Europe and the Kingdom of the Netherlands, while sending a message.
“We will not tolerate any attempt to address Russia with threats and ultimatums. Any attack on the security and sovereignty of the Russian Federation will be met with an immediate, rapid and crushing response,” the Russian Embassy in the Netherlands wrote on Telegram.
AI outlook — possibilities, not facts
The Dutch government will be forced to provide official clarification on its Defense Minister's statement.
Very likely · Within days
Russia will continue its rhetoric of immediate response to any perceived threat to its security or sovereignty.
Likely · Within weeks

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