DutchNews.nl - DutchNews.nl brings daily news from The Netherlands in English

24 July 2025
Newsletter Donate Advertise
  • News
  • Life in the Netherlands
  • Jobs
  • Podcast
  • About us
  • Search
  • Home
  • Economy
  • Politics
  • Art and culture
  • Sport
  • Europe
  • Society
  • Environment
  • Health
  • Housing
  • Education
  • News
    • Home
    • Economy
    • Politics
    • Art and culture
    • Sport
    • Europe
    • Society
    • Environment
    • Health
    • Housing
    • Education
  • Life in the Netherlands
    • Latest
    • Opinion
    • Books
    • Travel
    • 10 Questions
    • Learning Dutch
    • Inburgering with DN
    • Food & Drink
    • Ask us anything
  • Jobs
  • Podcast
  • About us
    • Team
    • Donate
    • Advertise
    • Writing for Dutch News
    • Contact us
    • Privacy
    • Newsletter
  • Search

The Hague goes into lockdown ahead of Nato summit

June 19, 2025
Ready for the Nato summit in The Hague. Photo: Defensie.nl

At midnight on Thursday, the fences around the World Forum in The Hague will be locked as an emergency order goes into effect as part of the security measures ahead of the Nato summit next week.

Orange Shield, the name for the massive security operation, has surrounded the convention centre with five kilometres of fencing. Grocery and package deliveries cannot enter the security zone and nearby primary schools have been closed.

Even the Noordwijk Ferris wheel is considered a potential threat.

Frigates will patrol the North Sea, fighter jets and helicopters will cover the building from the air and diplomats will be escorted to the facility by military police. Nearly half the national police force, around 27,000 officers, will be on duty during the two-day event.

The final bill is estimated at €183.4 million or, according to calculations by the AD, €1 million per minute, making it most expensive Nato summit in history.

The periodic meetings of the 32 heads of state that make up the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation last took place in July 2024 in Washington, DC. Former Dutch prime minister Mark Rutte, now Nato’s secretary general, pushed to have his hometown play host to a summit.

In total, around 9,000 people will be coming to the summit, including some 45 heads of state and government.

The actual core meeting itself, however, will last a mere 2.5 hours, from 10:30 am to 11 pm on Wednesday. Rutte will hold a closing press conference at 2 pm.

To ensure the safety of world leaders, The Hague has undergone a massive transformation.

The Johan de Wittlaan, which connects Scheveningen to the Hubertustunnel and the A44 towards Amsterdam, has been closed since April. Temporary offices are being constructed on the roadway for delegates and trees, street lights and traffic lights have been removed.

Some 100,000 air travellers have faced cancellations or other disruption travelling to and from Schiphol airport this month.

Slot availability at the airport has been scaled back, a situation worsened by one runway taken out of action for repairs, while another has been repurposed to park the private jets used by world leaders to reach the Netherlands.

The ANWB motoring organisation has also warned of massive delays on the roads around The Hague, with motorway closures and restricted access from the coming weekend.

President Trump

As it stands, US president Donald Trump is expected to attend the summit, as is Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky – although his presence may be limited to the official dinner hosted by the king and queen on Tuesday evening.

According to the Telegraaf, Trump’s visit is expected to involve some 1,000 American staff, including secret service agents, policy advisers, secretaries and logistical support.

Former deputy chief of staff Joseph Hagin has previously estimated that 25 US government departments are involved in presidential travel, engaging thousands of personnel.

Share this article
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • LinkedIn
  • Reddit
  • Copy URL
Nato The Hague Travel
Thank you for donating to DutchNews.nl.

We could not provide the Dutch News service, and keep it free of charge, without the generous support of our readers. Your donations allow us to report on issues you tell us matter, and provide you with a summary of the most important Dutch news each day.

Make a donation
Latest
Show more
Trump administration warns indirectly over Schiphol flight cap
NS wants to arm staff with batons after rise in violence
ICJ: States legally obliged to tackle climate change
George Kooymans, co-founder of Golden Earring, dies aged 77
Dutch start-ups attract strong investment as Europe slows
NewsHomeEconomyPoliticsArt and cultureSportEuropeSocietyEnvironmentHealthHousingEducation
Life in the NetherlandsLatestOpinionBooksTravel10 QuestionsLearning DutchInburgering with DNFood & DrinkAsk us anything
About usTeamDonateAdvertiseWriting for Dutch NewsContact usPrivacyNewsletter
© 2025 DutchNews | Cookie settings

Help us to keep providing you information about coronavirus in the Netherlands.

Many thanks to everyone who has donated to DutchNews.nl in recent days!

We could not provide this service without you. If you have not yet made a contribution, you can do so here.

The DutchNews.nl team

Donate now

Dutchnews Survey

Please help us making DutchNews.nl a better read by taking part in a short survey.

Take part now