Ukrainian oligarchs have over the past few weeks tried to remove money which they have stashed in Dutch financial institutions, finance minister Jeroen Dijsselbloem told parliament on Wednesday evening.

Various reports of ‘unusual transactions’ have been made to the Financial Intelligence Unit, Dijsselbloem is quoted as saying by broadcaster Nos.

The minister refused to say how many reports had been made or what was done with them, Nos television reported. Banks are required by law to report potential transactions which they have their doubts about to the authorities.

However, payments and transfers can be stopped by the authorities if they are considered suspect, Dijssselbloem told MPs.

18 Ukrainians

The European Union on Thursday froze the bank accounts of 18 Ukrainian government officials, including the ousted president Viktor Yanukovich. Switzerland and Austria have also drawn up a black list.

MPs urged the cabinet to establish if Ukrainian cash held in the Netherlands is the proceeds of corruption or other criminal offences. If so, that money should be sequestered, a majority of MPs said.

EU aid

Parliament also agreed on Wednesday evening to support an EU decision to give €11bn in aid to Ukraine in an effort to stabilise its finances.

However, there should be strict conditions attached to the money, MPs said. ‘It must not be a blank cheque,’ VVD parliamentarian Han ten Broeke said.

The anti-immigration PVV and the Socialist Party SP opposed the loan. The Christian Democrats also said that while Ukraine merits support from the EU, it would be unwise to give the country a lot of money in the present situation.