The three coalition parties which backed a motion not to support the EU’s €800 billion defence plans have reached a compromise with prime minister Dick Schoof after hours of talks on Thursday.

Schoof had already given his backing to the motion last week and was placed in a very difficult position by the no vote in parliament, which included the PVV, BBB and NSC.

MPs voted by 73 to 71 for a motion opposing the plan, announced by European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen last week, to raise the money by relaxing the EU’s budget deficit rules and a €150 million collective loan scheme.

Details of the compromise have not yet been made public, but sources told broadcaster NOS that the three party leaders have agreed to withdraw their opposition.

The sources suggest that the Dutch will demand that no more than €150 billion can be borrowed, and if it is likely more is needed, Schoof will have to get clearance from parliament.

Nor must European spending rules be stretched too far to allow member states to spend the other €650 billion.

The exact terms will be made public by Schoof after Friday’s cabinet meeting.

He would do no more after the meeting than say the talks had been “good and constructive”.

Meanwhile, it emerged later that Dilan Yesligöz, leader of the four cabinet party VVD, did not attend the meeting because she was in Ukraine, meeting prime minister Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

I met with Dilan Yeşilgöz-Zegerius, leader of the People’s Party for Freedom and Democracy and a member of the House of Representatives of the Netherlands.

We discussed steps toward achieving a just and lasting peace. Our European partners, all those who have stood with us since… pic.twitter.com/4MwfAQidpC

— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) March 13, 2025

The two discussed “the supply of F-16 fighter jets, drones, and ammunition, as well as investments in the development of Ukraine’s defense industry,” Zelenskyy said on social media. “We appreciate the support from the Dutch government, parliament, and people. I am grateful for strengthening our defense capabilities.”

The VVD was the only one of the coalition parties to oppose the motion not to support the ReArm package.