THE HAGUE - Prime Minister Dick Schoof said it is possible that Russia will build up military forces along the Northern European border within three years to start “another” war. He made the remarks in response to reports of increasing Russian military activity near Finland’s border, NOS reported. Schoof emphasized that he does not want to cause panic, but warned that Europe must be prepared.
The Wall Street Journal recently reported that Russia has significantly expanded its military presence near the Finnish border, citing European intelligence and satellite imagery. The country is also rapidly constructing new railway lines parallel to the border and renovating existing rail and road infrastructure.
“In a number of years, Russia will develop sufficient capacity to possibly start another war, and that could easily be on the European continent,” Schoof said Thursday from Oslo, Norway, where he was attending the annual summit of the Joint Expeditionary Force (JEF), a military coalition of Northern European countries.
Schoof reiterated that he does not want to alarm the public. “It is not certain that a Russian attack will come. I don’t want to scare anyone,” he said. But he added that European nations must work together “to prevent that.”
The Dutch prime minister also said he discussed the Russian rail expansion with Finnish President Alexander Stubb. According to Schoof, Finland has confidence in its existing defense forces. “So on the one hand, there is no reason to worry,” he said. But the construction represents “an important change” that justifies increased defense measures. Schoof said the rail lines are clearly intended for the movement and supply of troops.
Schoof also warned that the Netherlands must remain alert to potential Russian sabotage, especially given its location along the North Sea, where many critical internet and data cables are located. “These cables are easy to break, or equipment can be placed on them,” he said. The Netherlands plans to increase its defense spending, although Schoof declined to specify by how much.
Foreign Affairs Minister Caspar Veldkamp, speaking after a meeting with EU foreign ministers in Warsaw, said the European Union must increase pressure on Russia to end the war in Ukraine.
“We see that Russia does not yet have any serious plans for peace,” Veldkamp told ANP. “They continue to literally and figuratively target civilian targets.”
Veldkamp called for existing sanctions to be maintained and expanded. He acknowledged that renewing the EU’s six-month sanctions packages is often difficult, mainly because of Hungary’s opposition, but noted that the bloc has managed to do so each time. “I assume that the 17th package will also be successful,” he said.
