The US National Security Strategy and its implications for Europe

20 May 2026

Speech given in the Second Chamber of the States-General of the Kingdom of the Netherlands (Dutch Parliament)

Chairman,

The National Security Strategy document published by the US government at the end of last year caused quite a stir. The US was set to focus on the Western Hemisphere and the Asia-Pacific region, gradually withdrawing from Europe and the Middle East. 

The document expresses fundamental criticism of Europe, and particularly of the EU. European countries must stop squandering their greatness; they must take more responsibility for their own affairs; and they must resolve the Ukraine conflict.

Today’s headlines – the war with Iran and the ongoing escalation in the conflict with Russia – almost make one forget the National Security Strategy. 

However, this does seem to be the new undercurrent in US foreign policy: spheres of influence for the major powers, a less prominent role for NATO and a somewhat less secure position for European countries.

This is also evident from Trump’s latest conversation with Xi, which focused on sovereignty and spheres of influence.

One might view this development as a threat. Who, then, will help Europe in the struggle against Russia? 

Mr Chairman, Forum for Democracy sees this precisely as an opportunity. The Netherlands can free itself somewhat from American dominance. It can choose its own path.

What opportunities this presents for the Netherlands! A subtle Eastern policy towards Russia and China, playing an intelligent, moderating and mediating role whilst maintaining good relations with the US.  We can seek new relationships with the warring factions in the Middle East, try to forge connections, find intermediary roles. We can boost trade. All these things we could do - and they are things we have traditionally been good at.

But instead European countries, with the Netherlands at the forefront, are pressing ahead with all their might along old Cold War lines. 

They are taking a hard line where it is not necessary. They are cultivating hostilities, rearming Europe, channelling tens of billions a year into military spending, further escalating tensions with Russia and sidelining, as far as possible, those European countries that are actually seeking peaceful solutions. They are even frustrating peace talks between the US and Russia. 

At first, the Netherlands was still afraid to join in too conspicuously against the Russians. But these days, the Netherlands is proud of our drone factory in Hengelo, where, together with Ukraine, long-range drones are being built to strike Russia deep inside its own territory.  We are doing this out in the open, shamelessly. 

For someone who lived through the Cold War, all this is incomprehensible. We in Europe and the Netherlands are now doing things that we would never have dreamed of back then. We are challenging the world’s greatest nuclear power – but also its greatest conventional power. Have we lost our minds? What are we actually trying to achieve?

Let us be honest, Mr Chairman. The political establishment in the Netherlands and Europe does not want peace with Russia at all. It may want a temporary ceasefire but ultimately it wants to defeat Russia. It wants total capitulation. The EU’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs, Kaja Kallas, is very clear on that point. 

And then it wants to bring Putin and his people before a tribunal. The Netherlands is already making preparations for this.

Mr Chairman, it would be comical if it were not so sad and dangerous. Although all those long-range attacks are largely pinpricks to the Russians, their patience may also run out. The Eastern Dutch region of Twente is just a push of a button away.

It is time we charted a new course. The Netherlands can play an initiating and perhaps even a leading role in this. Within the EU and NATO but if necessary by speaking to the Russians directly. What exactly do they want? And why? What do we actually want? How can we achieve lasting peace?

Politicians want to win wars, or at least bring them to an honourable conclusion, whatever the cost.

Citizens want the violence and the waste of money to stop. They want people to work together again and act in a way that benefits everyone.

Forum for Democracy stands on that side.

Thank you very much.