Netherlands to limit intelligence cooperation with U.S.

Pars Today – The Financial Times reported that, citing repeated shifts in U.S. President Donald Trump’s stance toward Russia and President Vladimir Putin, the Netherlands will limit its intelligence cooperation with the United States due to concerns over potential misuse.

The English Financial Times reported on Monday that Eric Akerboom, head of the Netherlands’ General Intelligence and Security Service (AIVD), and Peter Reijrink, director of the Dutch Military Intelligence and Security Service (MIVD), told the Dutch newspaper De Volkskrant that due to the “politicization of intelligence,” they have become more cautious in sharing data with the United States.

According to Pars Today, they emphasized that these restrictions apply especially to intelligence related to Russia, and decisions about sharing information are now made on a case-by-case basis. This caution stems from concerns that, given President Trump’s stance toward Putin has shifted several times this year (2025), Washington could potentially use the intelligence to benefit Russia.

The Financial Times report adds that in the interview, Akerboom cited concerns over human rights violations by the U.S. government as another reason for reducing intelligence cooperation. He stated that past experiences have shown that Washington lacks sufficient sensitivity in this area.

According to the report, the dismissal of Timothy Haugh, head of the U.S. Cyber Command and director of the National Security Agency (NSA), along with his deputy Wendy Noble in April, also influenced the Netherlands’ decision to reduce intelligence cooperation with Washington.

The Financial Times report states that Bart Groothuis, former head of cybersecurity at the Dutch Ministry of Defense and now a Member of the European Parliament, warned that although the Netherlands and the U.S. have enjoyed decades of intelligence cooperation, Washington would suffer damage if it alienates its allies by abusing this collaboration.