German-Netherlands Corps tasked with NATO defence command for Estonia and Latvia

NATO said the First German-Netherlands Corps in Münster is responsible for commanding alliance forces assigned to the defence of Estonia and Latvia, during a visit by Secretary-General Mark Rutte on Thursday. The statement was issued as Rutte visited the German city with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and Dutch Prime Minister Rob Jetten.

The corps is a joint German-Dutch headquarters based in Münster. NATO's official account of the visit said it carries responsibility for commanding forces in the defence of the two Baltic allies. Rutte used the visit to argue for a stronger European role inside NATO and said alliance deterrence remains central to European security, according to De Telegraaf.

Merz later spoke at Münster's historic town hall as NATO received the International Prize of the Peace of Westphalia. Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung reported that he linked the alliance's role to collective security and to Europe's response to Russia's war against Ukraine. He said Germany and Europe had a direct interest in supporting Ukraine and in maintaining unity inside NATO.

Merz also said Germany wanted stable and predictable relations with Russia at an appropriate time, but argued that Moscow first had to end its war against Ukraine and return to what he described as the European peace order. He said NATO unity and strength had helped prevent direct conflict with Russia and remained necessary for negotiations.

The visit combined an operational military message with political statements on European defence. The specific command responsibility cited by NATO concerns Estonia and Latvia, both alliance members on NATO's eastern flank. No military incident, casualty or damage was reported in connection with the visit.

The supplied material does not report a new deployment, exercise or activation of the corps during the Münster visit. It identifies the command role and records statements by NATO, German and Dutch leaders on deterrence, European defence responsibility and support for Ukraine.