Last night, US President Donald Trump announced that he would suspend all military aid to Ukraine — at least for now. Now, the Netherlands and the rest of Europe must step up to shape the peace plan for Ukraine.
During a special summit for Ukraine in London on Sunday, Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof said that the Netherlands would join the military planning for a European “coalition of the willing.”
However, as the NOS writes, the Netherlands has not yet made any concrete commitments for support.
Schoof’s plan
While Schoof has stressed that US support is crucial for any agreement to succeed, he has also reaffirmed that the Netherlands views Russia as the aggressor and supports a peace agreement that ensures Ukraine’s sovereignty.
“It is important that the Netherlands joins in,” he says, adding that the country has shown its “willingness to participate actively.” However, he hasn’t made any concrete agreements in London.
“If you don’t join in, you don’t know what’s going on,” Schoof emphasised.
The Netherlands supports Ukraine as firmly as ever. Now more than ever. We want a lasting peace and an end to the war of aggression started by Russia. For Ukraine and its people, and for Europe.— Dick Schoof (@MinPres) February 28, 2025
Former Dutch Prime Minister and current NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte also weighed in, stating that Europe’s involvement depends on the concrete ceasefire agreement.
Opposition wants to do more
Schoof’s lack of concrete commitments has sparked criticism from opposition parties in the Dutch House of Representatives.
Frans Timmermans, leader of GroenLinks-PvdA, expressed disappointment, pointing out that British Prime Minister Keir Starmer immediately pledged extra arms deliveries. “I would have liked the Netherlands to have taken a step forward, as other countries have done,” he said.
D66 leader Rob Jetten echoed this sentiment, calling on Schoof to show more leadership and clarify what additional support the country is prepared to offer.
Discussions about the situation in Ukraine and European defense strategies will continue on Thursday, March 6, in Brussels.
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