Netherlands Allowed Russian Ships into its Ports
According to a report citing its ministries, the Dutch government granted 91 waivers from sanctions against Russia since the country invaded Ukraine late in February.
According to RTL Nieuws, the ministries withheld the names of the companies involved, the value of the transactions that were exempted, and the business sectors involved. According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the information was “company-sensitive.”
The Ministries of Foreign Affairs, Economic Affairs, Finance, Infrastructure, and Education are authorised to grant sanctions exemptions in order to “allow a degree of flexibility in specific cases,” according to the spokesperson.
The European Union banned ships sailing under the Russian flag from entering European ports in April. The Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management Netherlands granted waivers to 34 ships, for example, because they carried valuable cargo such as aluminum and food.
RTL Nieuws reported that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs granted one exemption due to “diplomatic relations.” Transactions involving Russian banks with a majority stake in the state were permitted in a single case.
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The Ministry of Finance granted 13 more waivers for frozen assets or goods subject to the sanctions regime. The Ministry for Climate and Energy, which is part of the Ministry of Economic Affairs, issued 25 waivers allowing Dutch organizations to continue receiving energy from former Gazprom companies.
The waivers benefit 150 businesses and organizations, including municipalities, schools, and water boards, according to the Ministry.
The Ministry of Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation, which is part of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, granted 18 waivers to 13 organizations on “humanitarian grounds” for EU-Russia cooperation on “purely civilian matters.” Foreign Affairs granted one waiver in order for a company to receive another payment from Russia.
