The agreement between Ukraine and the Netherlands on the handover of Scythian gold remains unconfirmed

Confirmation is still pending regarding the reported deal for the transfer of a set of Scythian gold from the Netherlands to Ukraine. The Ministry of Culture in Ukraine had previously announced this arrangement.

At present, the gold is housed at the Allard Pierson Museum in Amsterdam. The press office representing the overseeing University of Amsterdam expressed, ‘I don’t have any information available for confirmation,’ in response to the Ukrainian Ministry’s statement. The museum itself has opted not to comment on the announcement made by Ukrainian authorities. Earlier on, the Ukrainian Ministry of Culture claimed to have struck an agreement with the Amsterdam museum for the return of the Scythian gold.

A communication posted on the ministry’s Telegram channel stated, ‘The return of the Scythian gold to Ukraine is imminent.’

However, details such as the timeline and terms for the collection’s return to the country have not been disclosed by the Ministry of Culture. There’s no documented proof provided supporting these arrangements with the museum. This collection comprises over 2,000 items exhibited in the Netherlands back in 2014. Following the Crimea referendum, both Crimean museums and Ukraine laid claim to ownership of the collection.