Lithuania freezes assets of Russian billionaires Fridman and Usmanov after EU lifts sanctions
Lithuania has frozen assets belonging to Russian billionaires Mikhail Fridman and Alisher Usmanov under its national sanctions regime after the European Union removed both men from its sanctions list.
Lithuanian Foreign Minister Kęstutis Budrys announced the decision on October 14, criticizing the EU's move.
“When two influential Russian oligarchs were removed from the EU sanctions list, it sent the wrong signal,” Budrys wrote on X.
“Lithuania is taking action and will not look away.”
He said Russia's war against Ukraine was sustained by powerful interests that continued to benefit from and support the aggression.
“Sanctions pressure on Russia and its war enablers must be strengthened and sustained,” the minister added.
The EU removed Fridman and Usmanov from its sanctions list in September while extending restrictions on approximately 3,000 other individuals and entities for another three years.
According to earlier reporting, France and Slovakia supported lifting sanctions on Usmanov. The Financial Times reported that France's position was influenced by pressure from Azerbaijan, which was holding French citizens. Azerbaijani diplomats denied that account.
Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev subsequently pardoned a French citizen who had been convicted of espionage.
Luxembourg also pushed for Fridman's removal from the sanctions list. The billionaire is pursuing a $16 billion arbitration claim against the country, and Luxembourg argued that lifting restrictions on Usmanov alone would weaken its position in the case.
Lithuania's decision imposes national restrictions on the two businessmen despite their removal from the EU-wide list.