Dutch banks unfreeze Russian assets worth more than €500 million - Telegraaf
Illustrative photo: Dutch banks unfreeze Russian assets worth more than €500 million (Getty Images)
Banks in the Netherlands have unblocked approximately €560 million in Russian assets. This occurred due to exceptions made for unfinished payments and the removal of sanctioned owners, according to Telegraaf.
The Dutch parliament announced in January that the total amount of frozen Russian assets would be €660 million. However, by July 1, only €97.2 million had been blocked.
The media outlet received a document stating that the unfreezing of funds happened "due to exceptions for unfinished payments and the removal of sanctioned owners."
It is known that €430 million belongs to two companies from Russia. Specifically, €230 million from one company was no longer subject to freezing because it had been "formally removed" from its Russian owner through a special structure.
Background
Earlier, the European Commission announced a €35 billion loan for Ukraine. It will be repaid from the proceeds of Russia's frozen assets. According to President Zelenskyy, the funds will primarily be directed toward the energy sector and defense.
Additionally, such funds are planned to be used for building bomb shelters for children in kindergartens and schools.
Recently, during his visit to New York, Zelenskyy met with European Council President Charles Michel. They discussed, among other things, the use of frozen Russian assets.
