Last year, the government met 2% of its GDP covered in defense as needed as part of its NATO membership.
However, the Trump administration is calling for allies to increase spending to 5% over the next few years. This represents more than twice the current rate.
“We’re about 2% now. That’s within the budget. And of course, if we grow to a much larger percentage, it’s not the hard part in itself, but how do we raise it, how do we raise it,” Brekelmans said.
“It requires difficult political decisions. There are three options for theory: raise taxes, reduce spending, raise debt levels. And these are all three difficult political arguments. We have some of these arguments in the Netherlands now,” he explained.
The Union government says it is committed to an average annual spending of 3.5 billion euros on military support for Ukraine.
However, the coalition of four in the ruling turned right by including the Geert Wilders PVV – Freedom Party.
While Wilders often opposed military support to Kyiv, Brekelmans argues that the Dutch “support for Ukraine is unshakable in any aspect and in military support.”
Despite often tense coalition debates, Brekelmann claims that The Hague will deliver an average of 3.5 billion euros to Ukraine while the current government is in power.
Meanwhile, concerns have arisen among NATO members regarding the future role the US will play in the alliance and the future role that supports Europe’s security more broadly.
Brekelmans confirmed that the US has given up on the chairmanship of the Ukrainian Defense Contact Group (UDCG). It provides military hardware at the forefront of Ukraine, with alliances of around 20 people from around the world.
It was a role Washington held exclusively during the Biden administration under former Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin, but Brekelman confirmed to Euroneus that he permanently excluded him from the role he once held firmly.
Additionally, recently appointed Secretary of Defense Pete Hegses hints at a potential downturn of several of the 100,000 US troops stationed in Europe under the auspices of NATO.
However, the Dutch Defense Minister said no such decision has been announced yet. If it’s approaching, it would be desirable to be part of an agreed process, he explained in contrast to the one-sided move by the US administration.
“So far, they haven’t announced cuts. I think the most important thing is that Pete Hegses said not only in every meeting I have, but what others are saying for us.
“I think the most important thing is that we do this together and create a shared plan where they can move some of their resources to other parts of the world.
Despite continuing concerns about the US role in NATO, Brekelmans said the US dimension is needed for the future of European security.
“We need to get the US on board. They will remain integral to our safety. But it is also the US interest to keep NATO strong, and I think that’s what they always say,” he concluded.
