The European Commission's proposal for offshore "return hubs" for rejected asylum seekers dominated morning coverage, positioning the Netherlands to potentially send deportees outside EU borders. By midday, reports emerged of former Philippine president Duterte being flown to The Hague to face international justice charges.
The afternoon saw Parliament, including coalition parties, rejecting the €800 billion European defense plan that Prime Minister Schoof had already supported in Brussels, putting him in an awkward position described as "standing in his underwear." This parliamentary opposition continued the defense funding theme from previous days.
Evening headlines converged on a diplomatic breakthrough with Ukraine agreeing to a US-proposed 30-day ceasefire with Russia, coinciding with Washington resuming military support to Kyiv. This development came as Dutch marines trained for potential conflict with Russia and Trump doubled tariffs on Canadian steel imports, further challenging transatlantic relations.