Russia is an important supplier of energy to the Netherlands. Our northern neighbors import gas, coal and oil for their own use, but also serve as a transit country to other European countries, including our country. The share of Russian gas in Dutch gas import fluctuates between 10 and 15 percent (own use plus transit).
Due to the war in Ukraine, the Netherlands now wants to cut its ties with Russia. By the end of this year, the government plans to stop importing Russian gas and coal.
“A political turnaround”, Dutch journalist Wendelmoet Boersema calls this decision. She wrote a book about gas in the Netherlands and the relationship with Russia. “The Netherlands was actually an ambassador of Russian gas.”
As far as coal is concerned, it has already been decided at European level that the EU will no longer import Russian coal from 11 August. The import ban is part of the fifth sanctions package against Russia. There is no agreement yet on gas and oil.
–
