A Dutch court has ruled against ING, preventing the bank from closing the account of the Russian energy company Gazprom. ING sought to end its relationship with Gazprom following the Russian invasion of Ukraine, citing sanctions risks, money laundering concerns, and potential reputational damage. Despite Gazprom not being directly sanctioned, ING considered the company a risk. Gazprom argued it requires a European bank account to meet financial obligations, such as paying taxes and salaries to its European employees, and has been unable to find an alternative. The court found that ING hadn't provided concrete evidence of money laundering risks and sided with Gazprom, preventing the account closure. Separately, ING’s attempts to sell its Russian operations have stalled, as a prospective buyer has failed to secure regulatory approval from Russian authorities.