The NATO summit costs the Netherlands one million euros per minute!
As midnight on Thursday approaches, security barriers surrounding the World Forum in the city of Den Haag will close, with the implementation of an emergency order as part of the security preparations for the NATO summit to be held next week. The major security operation, named "Orange Shield," has surrounded the conference center with a fence extending five kilometers. Entry of grocery trucks and parcels into the security area is prohibited, and nearby primary schools have been completely closed. Even the Ferris wheel in Noordwijk has been considered a potential threat.
Warships will patrol the North Sea, while fighter jets and helicopters cover the area from the air. Diplomats will be escorted to the location by military police. About half of the Dutch police force, around 27,000 officers, will be on duty during the two summit days.
The cost of preparations reached approximately 183.4 million euros, equivalent to one million euros per minute, according to AD newspaper, making it the most expensive NATO summit in history. The last regular meeting of the leaders of the 32 NATO member countries was held in July 2024 in Washington. The current Secretary General of the alliance, former Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte, was the one who pushed for his hometown to host this summit.
About 9,000 people are expected to attend, including around 45 heads of state and government. However, the main meeting will only last for two and a half hours, from 10:30 AM to 11 PM on Wednesday. Rutte will hold a closing press conference at 2 PM. To ensure the leaders' security, the city of Den Haag has undergone a radical transformation. Johan de Wittlaan, which connects Scheveningen to the Hubertustunnel and the A44 road leading to Amsterdam, has been closed since April. Temporary offices are being built along the road for the delegates, and trees, streetlights, and traffic signs have been removed.
About 100,000 air travelers were affected this month due to cancellations or disruptions in flights to and from Schiphol Airport. The airport's operational capacity has been reduced, and the crisis worsened with the closure of one runway for maintenance, while another runway was used as a parking area for private jets of leaders. The ANWB organization also warned drivers of severe traffic congestion around Den Haag, as highways will be closed and access restricted starting this weekend.
It is expected that U.S. President Donald Trump will attend the summit, alongside Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, although his participation may be limited to the official dinner hosted by the king and queen on Tuesday evening. According to the Telegraaf newspaper, Trump will be accompanied by about 1,000 American staff, including members of the Secret Service, political advisors, and logistical support staff. Joseph Hagin, former deputy chief of staff, estimated that about 25 U.S. government agencies typically participate in the president's travel arrangements.