Dutch parliament calls off visit to Russia after D66 MP is refused entry
MPs have cancelled next month’s working visit to Russia because of Moscow’s refusal to grant a visa to D66 parliamentarian Sjoerd Sjoerdsma.
Sjoerdsma is a known critic of president Vladimir Putin, particularly in relation to the investigation into the downing of flight MH17. ‘It is disappointing that Russia has included me on the sanction list, but at least the criticism has been heard,’ the MP said.
On Monday, foreign affairs minister Stef Blok had discussed the matter with Russia’s ambassador in The Hague to no avail. The visit would have been the first by Dutch MPs since 2008.
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