Paul Russell

senior partner

Paul is a highly experienced, creative and tenacious litigator

paul.russell@russell.nl
+31 20 301 55 55

Which State should the treasures of Crimea be returned to?

Publication date 25 oktober 2016

Paul W.L. Russell, LL.M., specialist in Art & Law, pursued in the programme “Spitsuur” by BNR News Radio the question where the Crimea art treasures should be returned to – Ukraine or Russia?

krim_oekraine - social media

On 6 October 2016, there was an important hearing in the court case on the Crimea art treasures. After the exhibition “The Crimea: Gold and Secrets of the Black Sea” at the Allard Pierson Museum in Amsterdam a dispute arose on which State the artefacts should be returned to – Ukraine or Russia? Paul W.L. Russell, specialist in Art & Law, discussed in the programme “Spitsuur” by BNR News Radio the importance of loan agreements, guarantees by the Dutch State, and international conventions to answer this question.

Listen to the broadcast here: (in Dutch)

Russell Advocaten has been leader in the field of art and law for many years. The international aspects of art matters form an integral part of our practice.

    We process the personal data above with your permission. You can withdraw your permission at any time. For more information please see our Privacy Statement.

    Related publications

    Crimean gold – partially decided

    On 16 July, the Amsterdam Court of Appeal rendered an interlocutory judgement in the matter of the Crimean gold. What does the judgement mean and what consequences does it have for the further handling of this politically highly sensitive issue?

    Read more

    The Crimea gold has to be given to Ukraine. The ownership question remains open. Why?

    Why is the District Court of the opinion that the artefacts held by the Allard Pierson museum must be handed over to Ukraine? Does this mean the Crimea museums will definitely not get the works of art?

    Read more

    Purchase of stolen cultural objects. What are the consequences?

    Stolen cultural objects must be returned to the country of origin. What are your rights and duties if you have bought art in good faith that is claimed to have been stolen?

    Read more

    Importing art from outside EU will become more difficult

    A new EU regulation requires anyone wishing to import cultural goods into the EU to have an import license or submit an importer’s declaration from 28 June 2025 onwards. When is which type of document required? How does it affect art dealers, galleries, auction houses and collectors, both inside and outside the EU?

    Read more

    Heritage Act: protected cultural goods in private ownership

    The government has outlined in a letter how it intends to translate the proposals from the Buma Committee’s advice into regulations. What does this mean in practice for private individuals who own art or other cultural goods? But first: what are the rules for exporting protected cultural goods at the moment?

    Read more

    Heritage Act: new rules to protect privately owned cultural goods

    The government has outlined in a letter how it intends to translate the proposals from the Buma Committee’s advice into regulations. What does this mean in practice for private owners of art or other cultural goods? Will this solve the problems of owners?

    Read more