In the Netherlands, a clear majority look to have rejected a far-reaching European Union free trade deal with Ukraine, but turnout may have been too low for the vote to be valid.

An exit poll -- taken at 40 polling stations where around 80,000 voters are registered -- revealed a turnout of only 32%,just two percent higher than what's necessary for the vote to be carried.

Nonetheless, the general sentiment is clear: according to the exit poll, 64 percent were against the pact, 36 in favor. The vote underscored a deep-rooted skepticism among the Dutch about their presence in Europe.

But the country's foreign minister stressed the deal with Ukraine needs negotiations and patience, and the result will not affect the friendly relations between the two countries.

"This is an important political fact, it means that the ratification cannot proceed as was expected before so we have to take a step by step approach. we have now to talk within the cabinet, with the parliament, with our Europian partners, also with the Ukraine to see what the consequences of this decision might be. We will take some time for that because it requires negotiation with all these actors and therefore I request also a little bit of patience from everybody. It looks like the outcome is against the Association Agreement. It will not take away the friendship we have for the Ukrainian people, we ask also for some patience from their side, then we will come back to a further reaction," Dutch foreign minister Bert Koenders said.