GETTY/AFP EU leaders have tonight poured cold water on the historic Dutch referendum result

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Arrogant Brussels politicians insisted the plot to bring Kiev further into their sphere of influence will go ahead, even though it was last night overwhelmingly rejected by the Dutch people. Germany’s Angela Merkel told journalists the Dutch ‘no’ vote will be “managed as we have managed other difficult issues before”, whilst French president Francois Hollande said the EU will “implement and apply” the rejected treaty. And EU President Jean-Claude Juncker today expressly REFUSED to rule out steamrollering the Dutch people's democratic rights and enforcing the deal on them anyway.

Their remarks came hours after Ukrainian leader Petro Poroshenko insisted his country WILL join the EU come what may, regardless of whether the European populace want it to. The remarks were tonight set to infuriate pro-democracy campaigners, who had openly expressed fears that the Brussels leadership would simply ignore the views of voters and press ahead with the deal. Last night the Dutch electorate rejected the plan by a huge majority, with 61.1% voting to block the deal, compared to just 38.1% who wanted it to go ahead.

AFP Dutch campaigners have been celebrating after securing the historic no vote

AFP The result was seen as a victory for European people power

But less than 24 hours later the Brussels elite has declared their wishes irrelevant, insisting it will plough ahead with its expansionist and federalist agenda regardless. Mrs Merkel told reporters: “We're going to manage this as we have managed other difficult issues before.” Her comments are believed to refer to the last time the Dutch people rejected an EU power grab, when they voted against the proposed EU Constitution in 2005. In that case the document was simply rebranded as the Lisbon Treaty and brought into law without any democratic oversight. Meanwhile French President Francois Hollande reacted to the Dutch ‘no’ vote today by insisting it is irrelevant. He said: "As far as Europe is concerned, it will implement what it can of the association agreement. ”As far as France and Germany, we will continue to support Ukraine and apply the association agreement in our respective countries.”

EPA More than 60% of people voted to reject the deal in the referendum

EPA The comments by EU leaders are bound to infuriate pro-democracy campaigners

We're going to manage this as we have managed other difficult issues before Angela Merkel

Mr Juncker meanwhile refused to rule out pushing through the deal after speaking to Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte on the phone last night. The Brussels chief said he was “sad” at the result, but did not encourage Dutch politicians to respect the wishes of their people. Instead he stated that it was "for the government of the Netherlands to analyse the outcome and decide on the course of action”. Mr Juncker added: ”The Commission remains strongly committed to the development of its relations with Ukraine.” Tellingly, his spokeswoman refused to answer questions over the trend of European voters rejecting EU policies whenever they are consulted via referendums, or Brussels' tendency to implement their plans regardless.

Earlier today Ukraine leader Mr Poroshenko arrogantly declared that the crushing referendum result would make no difference to his country’s stated aim of joining the EU. He told reporters: “I want to stress that this referendum, in accordance with the Constitution and the laws of the Netherlands, has only a consultative role and now it is for the government, parliament and Dutch politicians to decide. “I am sure that strategically this event is not an obstacle to Ukraine’s entry to Europe.” Their comments came after Eurosceptic campaigners warned that Brussels’ long history of ignoring democratically taken decisions indicated it would probably push ahead with the Ukraine deal regardless. After the result was declared Labour MP Kate Hoey tweeted: “A great result in the Dutch referendum tonight. No doubt the EU commission will tell them to vote again #Brexit.”

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