Sanction Evasion: Dutch Companies Increasingly Export Goods to Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan Amidst Russia’s Economic Isolation
Recent research by the Central Bureau of Statistics and the University of Groningen reveals that after the 2022 invasion of Ukraine, the export of goods from the Netherlands to neighboring countries of Russia, particularly Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan, has surged. While some Dutch multinationals have adjusted their trade routes, many newly established companies have emerged, using these countries as transit points to circumvent sanctions. The trade volume with countries like Kazakhstan increased by 90% from the pre-sanction years, highlighting a trend of evasion and manipulation among exporters.