Estonia Targets 2 Russian Oligarchs With National Sanctions

Estonia has imposed national sanctions on Russian oligarchs Mikhail Fridman and Alisher Usmanov, following their delisting from EU sanctions. The decision came after Fridman and Usmanov were excluded from sanctions by France and Slovakia, resulting in a compromise to extend the sanctions from six months to three years. Estonian Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna signed the relevant decree in New York, urging other nations to follow suit.

Tsahkna emphasized that both men support Russia's aggression against Ukraine and called on others to impose national sanctions against them. Latvia initially opposed the extension but later abstained, allowing the motion to pass. Ukraine's sanctions envoy criticized the delisting, stating it should not become a new precedent, while President Volodymyr Zelensky called it "suicidal and counterproductive" amid increased Russian attacks.

Usmanov, a Russian businessman with a fortune built through investments in technology, metals, and mining, has been blacklisted since the beginning of Russia's war in 2022. Fridman, an Israeli-Russian businessman born in Ukraine and cofounder of Alfa Bank, is also linked to Russian President Vladimir Putin and the military-industrial complex supporting Moscow's war efforts.

France and Slovakia pushed to exclude Usmanov and Fridman from sanctions, citing national security concerns over French nationals held by Azerbaijan. Luxembourg reportedly pushed for Fridman's delisting due to his ongoing $16 billion arbitration claim against Luxembourg.