GETTY UKIP's Paul Nuttall says the Netherlands could follow Britain out of the EU following the Dutch vote

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In a crushing blow to European bureaucrats, 61.1% of Dutch voters voted to block the deal as politicians hail “the beginning of the end of the EU”. The treaty, which would see a major shift in political, trade and defence co-operation between the EU and Ukraine has been automatically accepted in 27 member states, including Britain. The Netherlands is the only country to oppose the plan creating a major stumbling block in what many considered would be the first step in Ukraine becoming a member of the EU.

UKIP deputy leader Paul Nuttall said: “It was unsurprising as there is a definite feeling within the Netherlands that the EU no longer works for them. “There’s a problem already within the country with immigration. “Holland is one of the most densely populated countries in the EU and people were voicing their dissatisfaction with the European project.

If we left the EU, I think the Netherlands would be the next out of the door Paul Nuttall

“If we left the EU, I think the Netherlands would be the next out of the door. “This gives confidence to the leave campaign and it shows it’s not just the British that are Eurosceptic. “In Holland, Euroscepticism has been going on for a number of years.

GETTY UKIP's Paul Nuttall and Nigel Farage welcomed the result of the Dutch referendum

“They do have a history of standing up and saying no to the EU. “This is a real blow to the mandarins in Brussels. “I think it could well be the beginning of the end of the Netherlands’ membership of the EU and it’s a great boost to us that we have allies across the North Sea. “If we get the leave vote then it could push them closer to the exit.”

EPA GeenPeil frontman Jan Roos celebrates the result

Nigel Farage also welcomed the result and indicated Dutch ‘no’ campaigners would lend their support to the ‘leave’ campaign. He said: "Yesterday’s Dutch referendum on the EU’s expansionist agreement with Ukraine really was the people’s referendum and their ‘No’ to the EU was a tremendous victory for democracy. "Last night, talking to those at the GeenPeil celebration party on speaker phone I heard that many are planning to come to the UK to help in our campaign. "The thought of ordinary men and women offering to come over here, sacrificing their own time to help our campaign for freedom is exciting and I look forward to working with them".

EPA Dutch right-wing populist Geert Wilders said the vote marked 'the beginning of the end of the EU'

EU Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker has previously warned a "No" vote "would open the door to a great continental crisis". Dutch right-wing populist Geert Wilders welcomed the vote saying: “It looks like the Dutch people said NO to the European elite and NO to the treaty with the Ukraine. The beginning of the end of the EU.” Despite celebrations in the Netherlands, the President of the Ukraine has insisted his country will move closer to the European Union just hours after Dutch voters rejected a EU-Ukraine deal.

REUTERS Ukraine president Petro Poroshenko remains hopeful of working closely with the EU

Ukraine president Petro Poroshenko said: ”Under any circumstances we will continue to implement the association agreement with the European Union including a deep and comprehensive free trade agreement. "We will continue our movement towards the European Union." Many Ukrainian politicians feel their country deserves the treaty and are keen to show they have made progress in aligning their country with EU standards since the 2014 uprising that toppled pro-Russian president Viktor Yanukovich. Dutch leaders campaigning for the treaty had said voting against it would also hand a symbolic victory to Russian president Vladimir Putin.

EPA Students campaign for the Dutch to back the EU deal

Russian prime minister Dmitry Medvedev said the Dutch vote shows Europe’s attitude to Ukraine’s political system. Poroshenko downplayed the importance of the referendum, which is non-binding, but said Ukraine should "take it into consideration" and added that they were awaiting a decision by the government and parliament of the Netherlands. The Dutch government said today that it could not ignore the vote but that it may take weeks to decide how to respond. Although the Dutch referendum was non-binding, Dutch prime minister Mark Rutte acknowledged late on Wednesday it was politically impossible for his unpopular government to continue ratifying the treaty in its current form.

EU referendum Sat, February 20, 2016 With an in/out referendum on EU membership set for June 23 this year, we're taking an overview look of David Cameron's two-day visit at EU summit at EU headquarters in Brussels and his return to Downing Street to meet with his cabinet. Play slideshow AFP/Getty Images 1 of 21 British Prime Minister David Cameron speaks at Downing Street