Opposition parties push Dutch gov't to do more for Ukraine as U.S. withdraws support
Opposition parties in the Tweede Kamer, the lower house of the Dutch parliament, want the government to promise more aid to Ukraine. Now that the United States is increasingly siding with Russia - Donald Trump recently “paused” military support to Ukraine until the country is more constructive in the peace talks between the U.S. and Russia - Europe, including the Netherlands, needs to step in financially and militarily, the opposition parties believe, NOS reports.
During a special summit on the situation around Ukraine in London on Sunday, Prime Minsiter Dick Schoof said that the Nehterlands would join the military planning for a “coalition of the willing,” but has not made any concrete commitments for additional support. He seems to be placating the coalition - the PVV and BBB are hesitant about more support for Ukraine.
But this has earned him criticism from the opposition parties. They point out that the government has a broad mandate in the Tweede Kamer to do more, even without the PVV and BBB. “I would have liked to see the Netherlands take a step forward, as other parties have done,” GroenLinks-Pvda leader Frans Timmermans said, referring to the British Prime Minister immediately announcing additional arms deliveries.
“I expect more leadership from the Prime Minister, that he makes concrete what additional support we are going to provide to the Ukrainians,” said D66 leader Rob Jetten.
CDA leader Henri Bontenbal wanted to see “a few more commitments,” he said, according to the broadcaster. “There is a large majority that says: do what is necessary, show leadership!”
Schoof stressed that the Netherlands is still playing a leading role in supporting Ukraine. According to the Dutch Prime Minister, he hasn’t made any commitments because there is still no concrete plan for support.
Minister Caspar Veldkamp of Foreign Affairs also denies that the Netherlands is hesitant to help Ukraine more. He agrees that the Cabinet should decide “very quickly” on additional military financial support for the country and on raising the NATO standard above 2 percent, he said on the television program Eva. “But you have to do it well and properly,” he said, adding that there should be clarity on the topic within a few weeks.
The Tweede Kamer will debate the security situation in Europe and Ukraine this week. GroenLinks-PvdA, D66, CDA, ChristenUnie, and the coalition party VVD are pushing for security guarantees for Ukraine if there is a ceasefire with Russia. They are also prepared to send Dutch soldiers to participate in a peacekeeping force in Ukraine.
Geert Wilders, leader of the largest coalition party, PVV, is vehemently against sending troops to Ukraine, but said he did not rule out other forms of aid like money or weapons. Coalition partner BBB is also cautious about additional support.
The Dutch Cabinet will also start holding weekly meetings to discuss the security situation in the world. Schoof will convene the weekly meeting of the new National Security Council (NVR) to discuss geopolitical crises and how they affect the Netherlands on Tuesday, according to AD. The first regular meeting will be dominated by Ukraine and the United States, and the role the Netherlands could play in the peace process led by the United Kingdom and France.
The Council has existed since the autumn of 2022 but typically only meets sporadically based on world events. However, the need to meet has become more consistent and frequent. It became necessary to make sure the NVR members have adequate time on their agendas to gather at least once before the regular weekly Cabinet meetings on Friday.
Schoof will meet every Tuesday with Defense Minister Ruben Brekelmans (VVD), Foreign Affairs Minister Caspar Veldkamp (NSC), and the deputy prime ministers designated by each of the four coalition parties. Currently, they are Health Minister Fleur Agema (PVV), Climate Minister Sophie Hermans (VVD), Social Affairs Minister Eddy van Hijum (NSC), and Housing Minister Mona Keijzer (BBB).
