How should Europe respond to Russia? The Dutch view

With the annexation of Crimea and its interference in Eastern Ukraine, Russia has openly challenged the European order in place since 1991 and indeed since the end of the Second World War. So how should the EU - traditionally used to seeing soft power as its best policy tool – cope with this display of old-fashioned power politics?

How should it respond to the nature of the challenge posed by Russia? In a series of articles, ECFR experts from their national offices and contributors from other countries present the national perspective on this thorny issue from their country.

In this feature a Dutch perspective is given. The Dutch position on Russia has hardened since the downing of MH17, but the Netherlands still pursues constructive engagement.