THE HAGUE - The PVV opposes sending Dutch military personnel to Ukraine, party leader Geert Wilders announced on X. He argued that the Netherlands is already involved in “many missions” and should focus on protecting its own territory.
Wilders’ stance puts him at odds with the cabinet. Prime Minister Dick Schoof recently stated at a security conference in Munich that the Netherlands is open to participating in a peacekeeping mission to protect Ukraine following a potential agreement with Russia. However, Schoof emphasized that Dutch involvement depends on two conditions: the mission must have a clear mandate, and it must have U.S. backing. “If the situation escalates, we need to be able to rely on the Americans against Russia,” Schoof said.
The debate over Dutch military involvement comes amid shifting geopolitical dynamics. The new U.S. administration has announced plans to negotiate peace in Ukraine directly with Russia, initially excluding European nations and Ukraine from the discussions.
American and Russian negotiators have arrived in Saudi Arabia for talks, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is also heading there. Meanwhile, EU leaders are gathering in Paris for emergency talks, aiming to secure a role in any negotiations.
Wilders has also called for Ukrainian men residing in the Netherlands to return to their home country to contribute to the war effort. “There are still tens of thousands of Ukrainian men in the Netherlands—let them go back and help their own country, including militarily,” he posted.
The PVV leader has further opposed allocating additional funds for Ukraine in the upcoming spring budget discussions. He insists that financial resources should instead be used to lower gas bills, reduce rent, and cut VAT on groceries. To offset these costs, Wilders has proposed reducing expenditures on development aid, climate initiatives, and implementing a tax on banks.
Despite PVV opposition, the Netherlands remains a leading contributor to Ukraine, having committed 17 billion euros in aid, mostly in military support. A large Tweede Kamer majority continues to back this policy. While Wilders has historically opposed assistance to Ukraine, he shifted his position during government formation talks to facilitate the establishment of the current cabinet.
