Lithuania bans entry for Russian oligarchs Usmanov and Fridman

Lithuania has decided to bar entry into the country to two prominent Russian-born businessmen, Alisher Usmanov and Mikhail Fridman. The move comes after the European Union last week removed both oligarchs from its list of sanctioned individuals.

Both men have long been regarded as among the most influential figures in Russian business circles, and their names have repeatedly come up in discussions of international sanctions imposed following Russia's aggression against Ukraine.

The EU's decision to delist Usmanov and Fridman means the restrictions previously in place at the EU level would no longer apply to them. However, Lithuania, exercising its sovereign right to set national entry restrictions, has chosen to act independently and bar both oligarchs from entering its territory.

The step indicates that individual EU member states, including Lithuania, can adopt stricter measures against individuals linked to Russia even when the bloc's common sanctions policy toward specific persons is eased. Lithuania's decision also reflects the country's continued cautious stance toward influential Russia-linked figures, regardless of changes to the EU's sanctions lists.

It remains unclear whether other Baltic states or other EU member states maintaining a firm stance against Russia-linked individuals might consider similar steps.