Estonia sanctions Usmanov and Fridman after EU delisting

Estonia will impose national sanctions on Russian businessmen Alisher Usmanov and Mikhail Fridman after they were removed from the European Union sanctions list, ERR reported.

EU member states agreed on Tuesday to extend sanctions against nearly 3,000 people and entities linked to Russia’s aggression for three years instead of the current six-month periods. Usmanov and Fridman were removed from the list for political reasons.

Estonia did not support their removal and abstained when the Council adopted the decision, Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna said.

“The important result of the agreement is the extension of the sanctions regime from the current six months to 36 months. This reduces the risk that extending sanctions will become the subject of repeated political negotiations every six months,” Tsahkna said.

He said Estonia opposed removing the two businessmen because they continued to support the aggressor and contribute to its aggression.

“Estonia’s clear position is that the Kremlin has not changed its goals and that pressure through sanctions on Russia and those supporting its aggression must increase,” Tsahkna said. “Therefore, Estonia will impose national sanctions on Alisher Usmanov and Mikhail Fridman.”

The EU decision means the two Russian billionaires may soon be able to operate more freely in Europe. Ukraine sharply criticised their removal from the sanctions list on Tuesday, calling the decision shameful and unjustified.