Dutch MPs held a debate on the war in Ukraine with the Ukrainian ambassador to the Netherlands on Thursday but no-one from the far-right PVV was in attendance.

The PVV is the biggest party in the lower house of parliament, with 37 MPs and leader Geert Wilders had been against financial and military support. However, since the coalition talks began in earnest, the party’s position has fluctuated and Wilder has said “all forms of support” would be an option.

The party’s foreign affairs spokesman Raymond de Roon was ill but no one was sent to replace him, as is customary.

“I am extremely surprised that the PVV, as the biggest party in parliament,” is not present,” said Laurens Dassen, leader of the pro-European party Volt. “A debate as important as this should be attended by the whole parliament, particularly the biggest party.”

At the end of February, the cabinet agreed to sign a 10-year agreement to support Ukraine, during the war and once it is over. Wilders said on social media that while his party was willing to provide “every sort” of help to Ukraine, the caretaker cabinet is not in a position to sign a 10-year deal.

Wilders later confirmed that financial and military support would be an option, in a major policy shift. Just three days later, however, senators from his far-right party voted against giving extra financial backing to Ukraine in the upper house of parliament.

The VVD and NSC, in talks on forming a new government with the PVV, have said continuing support for Ukraine is crucial.