Leopold was so disappointed that he considered abdication. Leopold emphasized military defence as the basis of neutrality, and strove to make Belgium less vulnerable militarily. He achieved the construction of defensive fortresses at Liège, at Namur and at Antwerp.
Leopold rejected cooperation with the government of Nazi Germany and refused to administer Belgium in accordance with its dictates; thus, the Germans implemented a military government. Leopold attempted to assert his authority as monarch and head of the Belgian government, although he was a prisoner of the Germans.
Belgium, officially the Kingdom of Belgium, is a federal state in Western Europe. Belgium has an area of 30,528 square kilometres (11,787 sq mi). Around 11 million people live in Belgium. It is a founding member of the European Union and is home to its headquarters.