The Russian foreign ministry has banned Dutch journalist Geert Groot Koerkamp from working in Russia in retaliation for the expulsion of a Russian journalist from the Netherlands.

Groot Koerkamp, who has lived in Russia since the early 1990s, worked as a foreign correspondent for broadcaster NOS, the Volkskrant and Belgian broadcaster VRT.

The Russian journalist, who was not named, works for Ria Novosti, a news organisation which has been on the European sanctions list since 2024.

The Dutch foreign ministry said it “deeply regretted and rejected” the action, saying it had been in talks with the Russians about the situation when the decision was made.

The ministry said it could not comment on individual cases concerning work permits but said that “foreign journalists are welcome in the Netherlands, including Russian journalists. That lies at the heart of freedom of the press.” It added, however, that no work may be done in the EU for “entities” on the European sanctions list.

Groot Koerkamp was the only remaining Dutch journalist in Russia. In 2021  Volksrant correspondent Tom Vennink was told to leave and in 2023 NOS correspondent Iris de Graaf returned to the Netherlands over safety concerns.

Eva Hartog, who headed the Moscow Times, was forced to leave when in her visa was not extended in 2024.