Dutch gov't promises €3.5 bil. more aid to Ukraine; Wilders might vote against it

The Nehterlands will give approximately 3.5 billion euros in support for Ukraine in 2026, Prime Minister Dick Schoof said in the parliamentary debate on the war in Ukraine and the defense of Europe. According to the Prime Minister, the amount continues the line set in motion in recent years. PVV leader Geert Wilders would not promise that the largest coalition party will support the amount.

Up to February 4 of this year, the Netherlands had provided over 5.88 billion euros in military support, wrote Minister Caspar Veldkamp (Foreign Affairs, NSC) and Ruben Brekelmans (Defense, VVD) in a letter to parliament last month. This also included financial contributions to international funds.

Earlier on Wednesday, Schoof had already informed Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy that the Netherlands would provide 700 million euros to purchase drones. This money comes from a commitment that had already been made.

Various opposition parties pushed Schoof to do more for Ukraine and quickly provide clarity about what the Netherlands was willing to contribute. “Be clear tonight so that we know what message you are taking to Brussels,” GroenLinks-PvdA leader Frans Timmermans said, referring to a summit of EU leaders in Brussels on Thursday.

Timmermans, a former Foreign Affairs Minister and diplomat, said that he had never been so concerned about security in the world as he is now. He does not trust Russian president Vladimir Putin’s intentions in the peace talks with the United States. “He does not want peace, he wants Ukraine.” According to Timmermans, the fact that American president Donald Trump reportedly decided on Wednesday to stop sharing intelligence with Ukraine is a major advantage for Russia.

“These times call for leadership,” D66 leader Rob Jetten told Schoof. “It is good that the Prime Minister attends summit after summit. But it is not good if he arrives empty-handed and returns without promising anything concrete.” He pushed the Schoof I Cabinet to join the other countries promising more support for Ukraine. “Because Trump and Putin are not waiting for the Cabinet.”

But Geert Wilders, the leader of the largest coalition party, PVV, would not commit to supporting the 3.5 billion euros for Ukraine. According to the PVV leader, he will only provide support if extra money is also spent on cheaper groceries, lower rents, and a lower energy bill.

The government program of the Schoof I Cabinet states that the Netherlands will continue to support Ukraine “unabatedly.” That word is not in the coalition agreement that the PVV, VVD, NSC, and BBB made, Wilders said. “So we as a faction are not bound by that.”

The elaboration of the billions for Ukraine will be discussed in the Spring Memorandum, the annual update to the national budget, Schoof said. The PVV’s demands “may be discussed there,” he said. Wilders replied: “It would help me if you were a bit more friendly.” He said he does not completely rule out support for the new amount for Ukraine.

Wilders’ position immediately sparked irritation in the coalition. After the exchange, VVD leader Dilan Yeşilgöz came forward to speak of a “false contrast” between purchasing power and Ukraine. “As if you wouldn’t worry about the high costs if you invest in the safety of the Dutch.”

Wilders, in turn, thought that was a “wrong remark.” According to him, there is a trade-off between defense and citizens’ wallets. “Don’t pretent that’s a non-discussion. Only rich show-offs from Wassenaar say that.”

Even without the PVV’s support, there is almost certainly a parliamentary majority for the extra billions. This is partly due to Timmermans speaking out against the fact that Wilders won’t commit to the package. “Wilders is taking a holiday from responsibility. He can do that because my party will take that responsibility.”