The first stage of a fresh round of talks to form a new Dutch government have produced “constructive” discussions with the main party leaders, lead negotiator Kim Putters has said.

Geert Wilders, leader of the anti-immigrant PVV, said he wanted to “steam ahead” with the formation of a new cabinet and was prepared to discuss continuing military support for Ukraine, just a day after he had criticised the outgoing cabinet for announcing a 10-year aid deal.

Dilan Yesilgöz of the right-wing liberal VVD also signalled a shift in her stance, saying her party was prepared to appoint ministers to an “extra-parliamentary” or technocratic government.

Immediately after the election Yesilgöz said the VVD would not join a cabinet as a junior partner but was willing to support a minority coalition.

Frans Timmermans, leader of the left-wing alliance GroenLinks-PvdA, pressed the four right-wing parties who are the front runners to form a cabinet – PVV, VVD, NSC and the farmers’ party BBB, to reach an agreement quickly.

“Get on with the job, the country can’t wait,” Timmermans said, adding that he saw no role for his own party in a coalition.

He added he was willing to vote with a right-wing cabinet on international issues such as sending weapons to Ukraine and cast doubt on Wilders’s change of heart on the conflict with Russia.

“Wilders continued to admire Putin even after the shooting down of [Flight] MH17 and the annexation of Crimea,” Timmermans said. “You’ll understand why I listened to what he said with a degree of scepticism.”

Shape of cabinet

Pieter Omtzigt, leader of the centre-right NSC, would not disclose what he discussed with Putters, but reiterated his preference for a cabinet that had a “looser connection with parliament”.

BBB leader Caroline van der Plas said she still favoured a majority cabinet, even though both NSC and VVD have reservations. She was concerned about what would happen “if people want maximum influence with minimum responsibility”.

Putters will conclude his canvassing round on Tuesday with eight leaders of parties with five seats or fewer in parliament, but not the migrants’ rights party Denk, which is boycotting the talks. He has promised to update parliament on his progress in mid-March.

Denk leader Stephan van Baarle said his party would not take part in any process “in which Wilders with his unconstitutional policies has the initiative”.