Steinmeier courts European cohesion in the Netherlands

At the evening's state banquet, Steinmeier delivered a widely noted speech in which he described the current situation in Europe as a historic turning point. He said verbatim: „Angesichts des Ukraine-Kriegs und einer Entfremdung von den USA müsse Europa ‚jetzt erst recht zusammenstehen‘, sagte Steinmeier am Dienstagabend." The Federal President coupled this with a call on European states to cooperate more closely in foreign and security policy.

Steinmeier's speech at the state banquet

In his address, Steinmeier spoke of a "dual epochal rupture" that posed particular challenges for Europe. He formulated: „Die Folgen dieses doppelten Epochenbruchs verlangen uns viel ab." With this phrasing, he pointed to two developments that he classified as equally momentous: the Russian attack on Ukraine and the shift in relations with the United States.

Steinmeier described Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine as a „brutalen Angriffskrieg". With this choice of words, he underscored the gravity of the military confrontation and aligned himself with the line that has taken shape in Germany and among European partners of naming Russia clearly. The Federal Republic is one of Ukraine's most important supporters, both militarily and humanitarianly.

At the same time, Steinmeier warned of a growing distance between Europe and the United States. He spoke of an „Entfremdung im transatlantischen Verhältnis, eine Abkehr der US-Regierung von genau den Werten, die die USA in ihrer 250-jährigen Geschichte so entscheidend geprägt haben". By referencing the 250-year history of the United States, he underscored the historical dimension of the current change.

Appeal for European unity

In this context, the Federal President reaffirmed his conviction that Europe must become militarily stronger — not in order to wage wars, but to prevent them. In Steinmeier's words, Europe must „jetzt erst recht zusammenstehen". He coupled this with a call for a more coherent European security architecture and a commitment to diplomacy and deterrence.

Prior to the state banquet, King Willem-Alexander had welcomed Steinmeier at the Royal Palace. Queen Máxima was also present. The ceremonial programme followed the usual conventions of a state visit and, in addition to the welcome, also included the wreath-laying with Prime Minister Rob Jetten, who was introduced in the report as Prime Minister of the Netherlands.

Joint visit to the Holocaust Museum

On the margins of the visit, Steinmeier paid tribute to German-Dutch relations, which extend over centuries and have been shaped by trade, culture, and shared history. The Netherlands are among Germany's closest partners in the European Union and in NATO. The two countries are also linked by the experience of the German occupation during the Second World War, which underscored the symbolic significance of the visit.

In the further course of the state visit, Steinmeier visited the Holocaust Museum in Amsterdam together with King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima. The visit to the memorial is regarded as a programmatic element of the trip and underscores the shared responsibility of both countries for remembrance of the crimes of National Socialism and the victims of the Holocaust.

The museum, which opened in 2024, documents the history of the persecution and murder of European Jews. With the visit, the Dutch royal couple and the Federal President sent a signal of remembrance and shared obligation toward the victims. The site holds particular significance for Germany, as the crimes of National Socialism were launched from German soil.

Further programme in Rotterdam

For the third day of the state visit, a stay in Rotterdam is planned according to the available programme information. The port city is one of Europe's most important logistical hubs and home to numerous international companies. Which specific appointments are planned in Rotterdam was not disclosed in detail in advance.

Steinmeier's trip to Amsterdam and to other parts of the Netherlands is part of an entire series of meetings and consultations that have deepened the German-Dutch relationship in recent years. The two governments coordinate regularly on questions of European economic policy, migration, and security.

In view of the war in Ukraine and the relationship with the United States, the visit carries particular significance for both sides. In recent years, the Netherlands have significantly increased their defence spending and actively participated in supporting Ukraine. Steinmeier's call for European cohesion thus found a receptive audience in Amsterdam.

Significance for the bilateral relationship

Coverage of the state visit was broadcast on 09.06.2026 on the Deutschlandfunk programme: „Diese Nachricht wurde am 09.06.2026 im Programm Deutschlandfunk gesendet." The first phase of the visit was thus reflected in the German media, while the remaining programme items are expected in the days to come.

Overall, the state visit shows that Berlin and The Hague want to deepen their close partnership in a phase that Steinmeier himself described as an epochal rupture. The combination of a memorial visit, ceremonial encounters, and political speeches illustrates the ambition to place the bilateral relationship on a broad footing while at the same time formulating European answers to the current crises.

With his speech in Amsterdam, Steinmeier has also set the tone for the coming weeks. In Berlin, the Federal President's appeals will play a role in the debates over a possible strengthening of the European pillar within NATO, over the future direction of aid to Ukraine, and over the shaping of the relationship with Washington. The state visit provided a fitting framework for this.