"Concerns That Intelligence Cooperation With the U.S. Could Be Used to Violate Human Rights"
The Netherlands has recently decided to reduce the sharing of classified information after U.S. President Donald Trump took a pro-Putin stance.
According to the Financial Times (FT) on October 20 (local time), Dutch intelligence authorities announced this policy in an interview with the Dutch daily De Volkskrant. The interview included Erik Akerboom, head of the General Intelligence and Security Service (AIVD), and Pieter Rasingk, director of the Military Intelligence and Security Service (MIVD). They stated that they have become more cautious about sharing classified information with the United States. This is because classified information shared with the U.S. could be politicized in ways that might help Russia or violate human rights.
They said, "We do not know how our relationship with the United States will change compared to before, but sometimes we may choose not to share any more information." They specifically mentioned intelligence related to Russia as a target. When asked whether they would also limit information sharing if there is uncertainty about how Russia-related intelligence would be used, they replied, "We will assess the situation and decide."
The Netherlands has maintained a classified information alliance with the United States for decades. In 2010, the Netherlands assisted the U.S. in deploying the malicious computer code 'Stuxnet' to disable uranium enrichment facilities in Iran.
Meanwhile, as President Trump continues his pro-Putin actions, European countries are accelerating efforts to impose additional sanctions on Russia. The European Union (EU) is scheduled to discuss a plan at the summit on October 23 to use frozen Russian assets to provide a loan of 140 billion euros to Ukraine.
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