Russian billionaire Mikhail Fridman initiated an investment…

Russian billionaire Mikhail Fridman initiated an investment arbitration with a third European country—the Netherlands.

Consensus

Mikhail Fridman has initiated an investment arbitration case against the Netherlandss
The case is based on allegations of expropriation of investments in violation of the 1989 treaty between the USSR (and Russia as its successor) and the Netherlands
Fridman was sanctioned by the EU in March 2022, with sanctions later extended to September 2026
The arbitration is being held at the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC)
Fridman's legal team includes Russian firm Dyakin, Gorcunyan & Partners, British Twenty Essex, Gherson, French Kiejman & Marembert, and independent lawyers
The Netherlands are represented by their Ministry of Foreign Affairs and law firm De Brauw Blackstone Westbroek

Fridman claims that Amsterdam Trade Bank (ATB) was declared bankrupt despite being solvent and financially stable, accusing the Netherlands of 'sinking the bank' — meduza
Fridman estimates the damage at several hundred million dollars, with a conservative figure — meduza
Fridman claims that assets in Veon and Holland & Barrett were also expropriated by the Netherlands — vesti
Fridman previously filed a $16 billion arbitration claim against Luxembourg in August 2024, and another case was announced with the UK in November 2025 — meduza
The EU refused to remove Fridman from the sanctions list despite his favorable ruling at the European Court of Justice — vesti