Home country: The Netherlands is preparing its civilian infrastructure for war
The Netherlands is systematically rebuilding its transport network to meet the needs of NATO, Russian Ambassador to the kingdom Vladimir Tarabrin told Izvestia. This course was confirmed by military exercises at one of the largest airports in the world, Amsterdam Schiphol, during which the use of civilian infrastructure by F-35 fighters was practiced. Experts note that Europe deliberately chooses an escalation scenario with Moscow, moves to militarization of the rear and refuses dialogue. Some countries of the association are actually accelerating preparations for a large-scale clash with Russia.
Amsterdam prepares infrastructure for conflict
NATO is preparing for a possible conflict with Russia, and it is doing this not only at the level of rhetoric and the expansion of military programs. Many European capitals are beginning to prepare their infrastructure for deployment in war conditions, and the Netherlands is among the leaders here.
The kingdom's special role is explained by its geographical location: the Netherlands has become a strategic rear hub on the route from the North Sea to the eastern flank through Germany. Sea, aviation and land corridors have already been laid through the country, along which equipment is being actively transferred. In particular, the United States uses local infrastructure as the main transit point for its units.
In 2025, there was a steady trend towards accelerated militarization in the Netherlands and an increasingly active positioning of the country as one of the key elements of NATO's military infrastructure in Europe, Russian Ambassador to the kingdom Vladimir Tarabrin told Izvestia.
— We are talking about the systematic development and re-equipment of civilian infrastructure for military needs. This applies to ports, logistics hubs, as well as the railway network. Such measures are not targeted or temporary in nature — they fit into the long—term strategy of NATO," the diplomat said.
The recent maneuvers at Amsterdam Schiphol, the country's largest civilian airport, have become a practical confirmation of this course. On January 27-28, military exercises involving four F-35 fighter jets were held there. Officially, it was announced that the safe operation of combat aircraft at a civilian airfield was being tested, but in fact it was about the Air Force's ability to use civilian infrastructure "unscheduled".
This practice is unusual in European countries. The media called the maneuvers an unprecedented episode in the history of the largest international civil aviation hub.
— Combining military tasks with civilian facilities is not a one—time initiative, as noted by local authorities, but part of a broader concept of preparing logistics and logistics for crisis scenarios. It would be incorrect to consider such actions in isolation from the general military-political line," Tarabrin added.
The main purpose of such exercises is formulated quite clearly by the authorities of the country. Officials, as well as representatives of the kingdom's armed forces, are increasingly and openly talking about the need to prepare for a possible major military conflict in the future until 2030, the diplomat stressed.
Europe is rearming
Amsterdam's course coincides with the general development vector of NATO. Dutch Defense Minister Ruben Brekelmans claimed back in the fall of 2025 that Russia allegedly "wants to be ready for a large-scale confrontation by 2030."
The European authorities are doing everything possible to turn the threat of a direct clash with Moscow into a real or even inevitable scenario, Pavel Feldman, professor at the Academy of Labor and Social Relations, told Izvestia.
— The topic of an alleged impending attack from Russia dominates the Western information field. What the least sane Baltic politicians used to say is now being publicly repeated by the Germans — this is a qualitatively new reality," the political scientist noted.
At the same time, there is not even a hint of resuming dialogue with Moscow from the UK and the European Union, Feldman noted. In December 2025, French President Emmanuel Macron offered Europe to resume dialogue with Russian President Vladimir Putin, but in the end it did not end.
More often in Europe, they suggest preparing for a military escalation in relations with the Russian Federation. In December, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, at a press conference with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, stated the importance of increasing defense spending in order to be ready to "fight the Russians." He also called on the allies to switch to a "military way of thinking," saying that NATO could allegedly become Russia's "next target." However, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov stressed that Russia does not harbor aggressive plans, and Vladimir Putin noted that European politicians are trying to justify their own internal failures by escalating the situation.
According to media reports, back in the spring of 2025, the German military turned to logistics companies and large businesses to assess how to ensure transportation and supplies in the territory of Germany in the event of a major conflict. In the fall, the press reported that Germany was working on a detailed plan of corridors — ports, railways, highways — for the massive transfer of NATO forces to the east.
For these purposes, the European Commission has proposed the so—called "military Schengen" - a package of measures to improve military mobility in EU countries. The key idea is to create a pan—European military mobility area with more unified rules by the end of 2027.
Currently, various national regulations, lengthy access procedures, and infrastructural restrictions are hindering the rapid deployment of troops. According to analysts, logistics can take up to 45 days, and the EC initiative is aimed precisely at reducing these deadlines.
However, removing administrative barriers is only part of the strategy. In parallel with the creation of the military Schengen, the European authorities began a radical revision of financial priorities. The European Commission's initiative called "ReArm Europe" became the central point. In March 2025, Brussels proposed a package of measures for the implementation of which EU countries should mobilize up to €800 billion over several years.
They should spend most of these funds — 650 billion euros — to increase defense spending to 5% of GDP. For these purposes, it is planned to create a "Defense, Security and Sustainability Bank" (DSRB). As Izvestia found out earlier, its full launch is planned for 2027. At the same time, plans were reported to attract €115 billion at the first stage.
In addition, in May 2025, the EU countries agreed and approved the creation of a €150 billion lending instrument to support arms purchases and develop the European military-industrial complex.
If the European authorities follow the path of further militarization of the economies and reduce social spending, they will be able to jointly finance rearmament programs, Feldman believes. At the same time, this will be done to the detriment of the modernization of the nuclear shield, since Brussels relies on the Americans on this issue.
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