The court in The Hague continues to make a decision in the case initiated by Ukraine against the Russian Federation
The District Court in The Hague continues to make important decisions in the case initiated by Ukraine against the Russian Federation. In particular, the new decision refers to the seizure of 50% of the shares of the Russian company “Gazprom” in the company Wintershall Noordzee, which is one of the largest gas producers on the sea shelf of the Netherlands. About this reported in the Center for Strategic Communications and Information Security.
The decision has major implications for Russia’s energy sector and threatens Russia’s ability to conduct energy activities in Europe through the use of companies such as Gazprom to circumvent sanctions.
This arrest was made possible thanks to the lawsuit filed by the Ukrainian company “Slavutich-invest”. This company made a claim to compensate for the losses it suffered due to Russia’s illegal annexation of territories belonging to Ukraine, in particular after the annexation of Crimea and the seizure of parts of Donbas. “Slavutich-invest” is trying to get compensation through court processes both in Ukraine and in the Netherlands, arguing its rights to the return of lost assets and land plots that were actually expropriated by Russia in these territories.
The special significance of this decision lies in the fact that the district court in The Hague recognized Gazprom as the alter ego (or “second self”) of the Russian Federation. This means that Gazprom is not just a company, but an instrument in the hands of the Russian state acting in its interests, and is therefore responsible for Russia’s actions in the international arena. In particular, this means that the company can be held liable for the obligations of the Russian state, including financial debts and compensations arising in the context of international legal proceedings.
It is worth reminding that this is not the first decision of international courts that concerns financial claims against Russia. Thus, in April of this year, the Arbitration Court in The Hague ruled that Russia should pay the Ukrainian state company “Naftogaz of Ukraine” compensation in the amount of 5 billion US dollars. This decision was made in connection with the fact that Russia illegally expropriated the assets of Naftogaz after the annexation of Crimea in 2014. These assets include infrastructure for the production and transportation of natural gas, which was located on the territory of the peninsula.
Thus, the decisions of the courts in The Hague demonstrate a relentless process of holding Russia and its state-owned companies accountable for actions that violate international law. It also signals serious legal consequences for Russia and its strategic economic interests, particularly in the energy sector.
