No flights and no money: hundreds of Dutch people stuck in Russia due to sanctions | Inland

At least hundreds of Dutch people are currently still in Russia. They live and work there. Just under three hundred people have registered at the Dutch embassy in Moscow, a spokesperson for Foreign Affairs told De Telegraaf.

“We have just adjusted the travel advice again, because the possibilities to withdraw money and book a flight to the Netherlands are becoming smaller,” the spokesperson said. Code orange now applies to most of Russia: travel to Russia only if absolutely necessary.

Minister Hoekstra (Foreign Affairs) advises Dutch people in Russia to leave the country. “Leave if you have no compelling reason to stay there,” he said earlier this week. After the invasion of Ukraine, Russia has been hit hard by Western sanctions. For example, the payment system has been partially paralyzed and Russian aircraft are no longer allowed to fly over Europe.

No flights

Last Tuesday, 370 Dutch people in Russia attended a digital meeting with the Dutch ambassador in Moscow, Gilles Plug. He called on the Dutch ‘to consider whether their stay in Russia is really necessary and to make a wise choice in time’. “It is uncertain what will come next, it may be that there will be more sanctions that further limit daily functioning,” said Plug. “And keep in mind that your debit cards may not be accepted. So make sure you have as much cash in euros or dollars and rubles as possible.”

The ambassador insists that the Netherlands will not evacuate people if the situation in Russia gets out of hand. According to him, it is still possible to travel to Europe by car via Finland, Latvia or Estonia. It is also possible to fly to Europe via countries that have not closed their airspace, such as Turkey. Plug: „But take into account a large detour, more expensive tickets and a longer travel time. And that the situation can change quickly, so that there may be few possibilities to leave the country later on.”

The embassy may soon organize another digital session for concerned Dutch people in the country. “It would then be intended for Dutch entrepreneurs,” said the spokesperson. “We notice that they also have many questions about how to proceed.”

In de podcast ‘Oekraïne Update‘ you will be updated daily in 10 minutes about the war in Ukraine:

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