Benelux countries lost more than 50% of exports due to sanctions against Russia

The Benelux countries — Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg — collectively lost more than half of their exports to Russia after the introduction of European Union (EU) sanctions against the country, RIA Novosti reported on December 26, analyzing data from Eurostat.

According to the calculations of the statistical service, from January to October 2025, revenues from trade with Russia amounted to €4.8 billion, which is 51.5% less than in the same period of 2021, when exports reached €9.9 billion.

Luxembourg suffered the biggest losses: its export revenues decreased to €2.1 million from €105.4 million in 2021. In the Netherlands, there is a threefold decrease in income, receiving only 2.6 billion euros. Belgium lost 38% of its exports, earning only 2.2 billion euros in 2025.

Business is interested in: Italian companies are looking for ways to return to the Russian market

Will it help to support the stagnating economy of the republic

Italian Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini noted on December 15 that the sanctions imposed by the EU against Russia in order to allegedly weaken the Russian economy had a negative impact on Europe, exacerbating the economic crisis and causing an increase in energy prices. He said that the sanctions packages being established by the association had brought the EU "to its knees."

On December 19, Russian President Vladimir Putin noted Russia's readiness to work with the United States, Europe and Britain exclusively on equal terms. According to him, the parties should treat each other with respect, as everyone will benefit from this in the end.

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