Lithuania Freezes Assets of Oligarchs Fridman and Usmanov

Lithuania has imposed national sanctions against two Russian oligarchs — Mikhail Fridman and Alisher Usmanov — freezing their assets in response to Russia's ongoing war against Ukraine, Lithuanian Foreign Minister Kęstutis Budrys announced on social media platform X.

The decision comes after both oligarchs were controversially removed from the European Union's broader sanctions list. Lithuania chose to act independently, using its own national legal framework to maintain pressure on individuals with close ties to the Kremlin.

Mikhail Fridman is a billionaire co-founder of Alfa Group and one of Russia's wealthiest businessmen. Alisher Usmanov, a metals and mining magnate, was among the first oligarchs sanctioned by the EU following Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Both have long been scrutinized for their ties to the Russian state and President Vladimir Putin.

The removal of Fridman and Usmanov from the EU sanctions list had sparked controversy among Ukraine's allies, who viewed the step as a weakening of Western pressure on Moscow. Lithuania's independent action signals that individual EU member states can and will take unilateral measures when they believe collective EU policy falls short.

Foreign Minister Budrys framed the decision as a matter of principle and solidarity with Ukraine, emphasizing that Lithuania will not allow its territory or financial system to become a safe haven for individuals who support or benefit from Russia's war machine.

The move reflects a broader pattern among Baltic states, which have consistently pushed for stronger and more comprehensive sanctions against Russia and frequently act at the national level when EU-wide consensus proves elusive.