Lithuania freezes assets of 2 Russian oligarchs after controversial EU decision
Photo: Fridman and Usmanov placed under sanctions (Getty Images)
Lithuania has imposed national sanctions on Russian oligarchs Mikhail Fridman and Alisher Usmanov due to their support of aggression against Ukraine, according to a statement by Lithuanian Minister of Foreign Affairs Kęstutis Budrys on the social network X.
The Lithuanian authorities emphasized that the removal of two influential Russian oligarchs from the EU sanctions list sent the wrong signal.
Russia's war against Ukraine is supported by interests that continue to benefit from Russian aggression.
Vilnius stated that Lithuania will not look away and is taking decisive measures.
The national sanctions regime has frozen the assets of Fridman and Usmanov.
Ukraine and its partners continue to insist on strengthening international restrictions against Russia.
In particular, Ukrainian Minister of Foreign Affairs Andrii Sybiha emphasized that Western sanctions should "tear apart" the Russian economy, and Kyiv is actively preparing new measures against Russian oligarchs while blocking Russia's access to foreign technologies.
Furthermore, Sybiha noted that Russia must be backed into a corner to enable genuine negotiations, as the Kremlin is attempting to circumvent restrictions and seek new ways to support its war machine.
