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German-Dutch Military-Political Cooperation: À Benchmark Relationship?

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Rubric: Europe: New Realities
DOI: 10.20542/0131-2227-2026-70-3-75-86
EDN: HQUTBI
Ph. Trunov, ORCID 0000-0001-7092-4864, 1trunov@mail.ru
Moscow State Institute of International Relations, The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation (MGIMO University), 76, Vernadskogo Prosp., Moscow, 119454, Russian Federation.
 

Received 10.10.2025. Revised 16.11.2025. Accepted 11.12.2025.

Abstract. European NATO and EU member states have been trying to ensure “strategic autonomy” within the West, and a central role in the emerging world order. The article explores these efforts using the example of German-Dutch cooperation in the field of security and defense. Methodically, the author uses the Neorealism theory and comparative analysis. Berlin, which has demonstrated the growing leadership aspirations, is very interested in support from smaller countries in Western and Northern Europe that are ready to accept Germany as a senior partner. As a result, there is Germany’s dependence on a junior partner, which can be illustrated by its dialogue with the Netherlands. In 2022, Amsterdam disrupted the established rhythm of the intergovernmental consultations’ format (once every three years, the meetings held in 2013, 2016, 2019), pursuing the goal of encouraging Berlin to toughen its approach in the field of Russia’s “deterrence”. The Netherlands’ interests coincided with a long-term trend of Germany’s gradually but steadily increasing involvement in the confrontation. Berlin’s significant contribution to arms supplies to Ukraine and the staffing of NATO military groupings has set the framework for intensifying cooperation with Amsterdam. Both countries have faced with the growing electoral support for the unestablished right-wing parties (“Alternative for Germany” 1, and the Freedom Party 2 in the Netherlands). The author explores German-Dutch cooperation aimed at demonstrating that the North Sea is an “internal lake” for NATO, turning the Baltic Sea into one, as well as in matters of support for Ukraine, coordinating efforts in the Balkans and the Middle East. The process of bilateral integration of ground forces has involved all the troops’ units of both Germany and the Netherlands by the mid‑2020s. The paper concludes about the mutual value and prospects of the tandem.

Keywords: Germany, Netherlands, Western Europe, NATO, EU, “deterrence”, Russia, North Sea, Baltic Sea, Ukraine, land forces, bilateral integration


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For citation:
Trunov P. German-Dutch Military-Political Cooperation: À Benchmark Relationship?. World Eñonomy and International Relations, 2026, vol. 70, no. 3, pp. 75–86. https://doi.org/10.20542/0131-2227-2026-70-3-75-86 EDN: HQUTBI

Contents World Eñonomy and International Relations. 2026, vol. 70, no. 3

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