A Dutch national, Niels Troost, has been added to the EU sanctions list for the first time due to the war in Ukraine. Troost, an oil trader, is reportedly involved in selling Russian oil at prices above the established cap, which is part of ongoing sanctions against Russia.
Troost, born in Zaandam, is the founder of Geneva-based Paramount Energy & Commodities, with a subsidiary in Dubai. According to the Financial Times, Troost traveled to Russia four times since the war began.
In the same report, Troost, who resides in Switzerland, claims to have been misled by a fraudster posing as a CIA agent who assured him of a U.S. license to trade Russian oil. Troost has been on a UK sanctions list since February for similar reasons.
A spokesperson for Troost told the Financial Times that the EU’s decision is not based on facts and accused the EU of participating in a disinformation campaign related to a business dispute involving the alleged fraudster.
Source: NOS