Estonia and Latvia impose their own sanctions
The two EU countries are keeping Alisher Usmanov and Mikhail Fridman under national restrictions after Brussels removed them from the European list.
Estonia and Latvia have imposed national sanctions on Russian businessmen Alisher Usmanov and Mikhail Fridman. The measure follows an EU compromise in which their European sanctions were withdrawn, while most other sanctions against Russia were extended for three years.
On 22 September, the European Union decided to extend sanctions against around 3,000 individuals and organisations for three years. Under the same agreement, Usmanov and Fridman disappeared from the European list. According to reporting by Euronews, their removal was part of lengthy negotiations between member states.
Estonia responded with its own measures. Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna announced that he had signed a decision in New York on 23 September to impose sanctions on both businessmen at national level. He said Estonia did not consider it right that they had been removed from the EU list.
Latvia also imposed national sanctions. The Latvian government decided on 22 September to begin preparations. The national decisions took effect the same day. According to Latvia’s financial intelligence service, both men are subject to financial and entry restrictions.
National sanctions do not work in exactly the same way as a decision by the European Union. EU measures apply in all member states and are adopted jointly. A national decision can impose additional restrictions in one country. As a result, companies and financial institutions must check not only the European list, but also the national rules of the country in which they operate.
The Estonian and Latvian steps show how differently member states view the compromise. For some governments, preserving a broad, long-term sanctions list carried great weight. For Estonia and Latvia, dropping two prominent names mattered so much that they wanted to continue acting separately.
The precise reasons why Usmanov and Fridman disappeared from the EU list are not fully public. European media reported that France and Slovakia pressed for their removal, while Luxembourg was involved in the discussion about Fridman. The official statements from Estonia and Latvia mainly explain why they do not want to abandon the sanctions themselves.
One story, several perspectives
What is established
- The EU removed Usmanov and Fridman from the European sanctions list.
- The EU extended other sanctions against Russia by three years.
- Estonia and Latvia introduced their own national measures.
Left
Arguments Dropping prominent oligarchs undermines the credibility of sanctions. Economic pressure must remain in place as long as Russia continues its war.
Values International solidarity, responsibility and pressure on those in power and their wealthy supporters.
Consequences Relaxation can restore financial room and political influence; national sanctions keep the pressure partly in place.
Centre
Arguments A long-term, uniform EU list is administratively stronger than a patchwork of national bans. At the same time, member states must retain room to respond to risks themselves where there are grounds to do so.
Values European unity, legal certainty and proportionate decision-making.
Consequences A compromise can preserve the broad sanctions, but national exceptions make compliance more complex for companies.
Right
Arguments Countries on Russia’s border must be able to protect their own security interests when Brussels reaches a political compromise. National governments are closer to the concrete risks.
Values National sovereignty, security and a hard line towards Russia.
Consequences Additional national measures can act as a deterrent, but differences between member states can weaken the internal market and joint policy.
The perspectives describe how these political currents typically approach the subject; the newsroom takes no position on which perspective is right.
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The legal and political core has been confirmed by Estonian and Latvian government sources and independent reporting. The underlying diplomatic motives are clearly framed as reporting and uncertainty.
- confirmed The EU removed Usmanov and Fridman from the sanctions list on 22 September. — Euronews described the EU compromise and the removal of both names. source
- confirmed The EU extended the remaining sanctions against around 3,000 individuals and organisations by three years. — The Estonian government and the Latvian prime minister reported the extension by 36 months. source
- confirmed Estonia imposed national sanctions on both businessmen. — This is stated in the official announcement by Estonia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs. source
- confirmed Latvia imposed financial and entry restrictions. — Latvia’s financial intelligence service mentions both types of restriction. source
Editor's note
Estonia and Latvia’s national measures have been officially confirmed. The precise diplomatic exchange behind the EU compromise is partly based on reporting by Euronews and remains partly unclear.Sources
- Estonia imposes national sanctions on Russian businessmen Usmanov and Fridman — Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Estonia
- Prime Minister: Latvia will not Allow the Sanctions Regime to Collapse — Government of Latvia
- Sanctions restrictions continue to apply to Fridman and Usmanov — Financial Intelligence Service of Latvia
- EU renews Russia sanctions but removes Usmanov at France's request — Euronews
More on this in Dutch media
- AD — „estland letland”
- de Volkskrant — „estland letland”
- RTL Nieuws — „estland letland”