Dutch PM may defy parliament's wishes for ReArm Europe plan; VVD leader heads to Ukraine

Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof will not walk back the country’s support of the 800 billion euro ReArm Europe defense spending plan put forward by European President Ursula von der Leyen. Schoof made the comments ahead of extended crisis talks with the leaders of the coalition parties PVV, NSC and BBB who joined a call for the Cabinet to withdraw its approval. VVD leader Dilan Yesilgoz was expected to attend the meeting but instead met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Kyiv, as Russian President Vladimir Putin signalled his conditions to agreeing to a ceasefire with Zelenskyy.

Schoof’s said unequivocally that he will not move forward with the wishes of the Tweede Kamer, the lower house of Dutch Parliament. Two days ago, a slim 73-31 majority voted in a motion put forward by far right opposition party JA21 that denounced the use of “joint European loans” to fund ReArm Europe, arguing also that defense spending is the responsibility of Member States and no the European Union on the whole. The VVD was the only coalition party that voted against the motion.

Schoof gave Von der Leyen his support in Brussels earlier this month, angering the leaders of both the PVV and BBB. PVV leader Geert Wilders said Schoof should have first achieved approval from Parliament.

Zelenskyy thanked Yeşilgöz-Zegerius for all the support that the Netherlands have offered since the beginning of the war. “I think that we are the ones that should be thanking you,” Yeşilgöz-Zegerius responded. “You are fighting this war not only for your own peace and freedom, but also for the rest of Europe and ours.” Yeşilgöz-Zegerius was accompanied by the Netherlands Ambassador for Ukraine, Alle Dorhout.

As the VVD leader spoke with Zelenskyy, the other side of this war, Russian President Vladimir Putin, said that he is in favor of a ceasefire if it leads to a lasting peace. He said this during a press conference. Ukraine has agreed to a document which was developed by the United States of America.

The initial ceasefire is for 30 days. Putin has said the he thinks Ukraine will use the 30 days to rearm and to raise and train more troops. He wants guarantees that this will not happen.

A Ukrainian government official has stated that Ukraine recognizes that it cannot retake part of its territory from the Russians now. The country feels that reclaiming it will have to happen over time through diplomatic means.