Relationship dossier
Kingdom of the Netherlands
Russia
Relationship assessment
Relations are substantially adversarial amid Russia’s war against Ukraine, the MH17 case, and Dutch responses to Russian intelligence activity.
Kingdom of the Netherlands toward Russia
-55The Netherlands has implemented EU sanctions against Russia following its actions in Ukraine and supported Ukraine with military and other assistance. In 2018, the Dutch government expelled four Russian intelligence officers after a cyber operation targeting the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons in The Hague.
Russia toward Kingdom of the Netherlands
-75Russian government conduct has included the invasion of Ukraine, which prompted Dutch sanctions and support for Ukraine, and the 2018 cyber operation against the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons in The Hague. Russia has also rejected Dutch positions concerning accountability for the downing of Flight MH17, a major source of bilateral tension.
Overall relationship
-65The relationship is shaped by sustained conflict over Ukraine and serious security and accountability disputes, including the MH17 case and Russian intelligence activity in the Netherlands. Dutch sanctions and support for Ukraine have further strained ties. These issues outweigh the limited scope for routine diplomatic engagement.
How to read these scores
Scores are rough judgments, not objective measurements or current verification. Directional scores describe government policy and conduct, not public opinion. The overall score is an independent estimate, never an average.
- −100
- Extreme sustained hostility
- −50
- Substantially adversarial
- 0
- Mixed or neutral, supported by knowledge
- +50
- Substantially cooperative
- +100
- Exceptionally close sustained partnership
“Not assessed” means there is no recorded score. Pair existence makes no claim about diplomatic recognition or established relations.
Relationship context
Overview
Relations have become substantially adversarial, particularly over Russia’s war against Ukraine, the downing of Malaysia Airlines Flight 17, and Russian intelligence activity in the Netherlands. The Dutch government has implemented sanctions and supported Ukraine, while Russia has rejected Dutch and international positions on key disputes. Diplomatic engagement continues, but major security and accountability issues dominate the relationship.
Areas of tension
- Russia’s war against Ukraine and Dutch support for Ukraine
- Accountability for the downing of Malaysia Airlines Flight 17
- Russian intelligence activity and the 2018 cyber operation targeting the OPCW in The Hague
- Dutch participation in sanctions against Russia
Key developments
The Dutch government expelled four Russian intelligence officers after a cyber operation targeting the OPCW in The Hague.
The Netherlands expanded sanctions against Russia and provided military and other support to Ukraine following Russia’s full-scale invasion.
Major uncertainties
- The scope of remaining bilateral diplomatic contacts and cooperation is unclear.
- The long-term effects of sanctions and legal proceedings on future bilateral relations remain uncertain.