Just three days after PVV leader Geert Wilders said he would be prepared to consider funding arms for Ukraine, senators from his far-right party voted against giving extra financial backing.

Support for Ukraine is likely to be a key issue in the coming round of talks on forming a new government and on Friday Wilders did indicate a softening in his hard line on Ukraine to date by saying that “the PVV supports Ukraine and is prepared to talk about all forms of help.”

Asked by NOS if that included military support, Wilders said that his social media post “did indeed say ‘every’.” “And we are prepared to talk about it,” he told the broadcaster.

However, in the senate on Tuesday evening, the four PVV senators voted against amending the budget to earmark €2 billion as a guarantee for Ukraine, as part of a €50 billion EU package. The far-right FvD also voted against it.

“Wilders might speak soothing words about supporting Ukraine but when push comes to shove, he votes against it,” said Jesse Klaver, an MP for the GroenLinks-PvdA alliance.

The lower house of parliament will vote on the amendment later this month.