Hoekstra: 632 million in Russian assets frozen

Dutch financial institutions have frozen more than 632 million euros in Russian assets in connection with the sanctions in force against Russia. In addition, a little more than 274 million euros in financial transactions were blocked. That is what Minister Wopke Hoekstra (Foreign Affairs) writes in a letter to the House of Representatives.

About two weeks ago, the counter was still at 516 million euros. In some other European countries, much more money is frozen. For example, France has frozen over 22 billion. The lion’s share of this concerns assets of the Russian central bank.

In Belgium it is about 10 billion euros. “This can be explained by the position that Belgium occupies in global securities trading and international payments”, Hoekstra writes.

The minister denies that groups of sanctioned Russians are avoiding the sanctions here. “Research and inquiry shows that there does not appear to be any substantial unfrozen assets of sanctioned (legal) persons.”