Netherlands flag between the flags of Russia and Ukraine.
Playing into Putin’s hands? Dutch leader’s Ukraine stance triggers backlash.
Credit: Shutterstock, hapelinium
Dutch politician Geert Wilders has thrown his weight behind Ukraine following the fiery stand-off between U.S. President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at the White House. The spat, which rocked transatlantic relations, quickly ignited strong reactions among Dutch political figures – most of whom sided firmly with Ukraine.
A cautionary tweet
Wilders, leader of the Party for Freedom (PVV), initially tiptoed around the issue. On Friday, February 28, he tweeted what he later described as a ‘cautious’ response: “Fascinating TV, but not necessarily the best way to end the war, gentlemen.”
A day later, the PVV frontman performed what some are calling a U-turn by taking sides and solidly backing Ukraine: “Of course, the PVV supports Ukraine and with conviction,” he declared, but adding a swipe at the anti-Trump rhetoric dominating some Dutch and international political discourse. “No one benefits from hysterical anti-Trump sentiment. Without the U.S., there will be no peace, no security guarantees, nothing at all. It is in our interest to get the U.S. and Ukraine back on speaking terms at the negotiating table.”
A shifting stance on Ukraine
Wilders’ latest statements mark a notable shift for the PVV, which changed its tune on Ukraine after joining the Dutch government. Until recently, the party had resolutely opposed providing aid to the country. This U-turn has stirred speculation about whether the PVV’s new position is here to stay or just another short-lived shift.
Not all party members have followed suit. Several PVV politicians in the Dutch House of Representatives – the Tweede Kamer – took to social media to praise the tough talk coming from Trump and U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance; remarks widely seen as undermining Zelensky. The retweets caused a stir at The Hague, particularly among MPs who fear such messaging ‘plays into Putin’s hands.’
One of the fiercest critics is Bente Becker, vice faction leader of the VVD, who did not mince her words: “I find this horrifying. This plays into Putin’s hands.” ‘They either don’t understand that, which is concerning, or they do – and that’s even worse.’
What next for the peace process?
For now, Wilders is walking a tightrope: backing Ukraine yet cautioning against what he brands ‘hysterical anti-Trump sentiment.’ With diplomatic overtures between Washington and Kyiv as volatile as ever, the world – and the Dutch political sphere – will be watching to see if the PVV leader’s support for Ukraine marks the start of a lasting approach or just another rhetorical wrinkle in the ongoing drama.
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