Minister of Interior and Administration Tomasz Siemoniak announced that on Saturday 15 March he signed a decision concerning Moshe Kantor.
On 15 March 2025, I signed a decision recognising Moshe Kantor as a individual whose presence is undesirable in the territory of the Republic of Poland – he wrote on the X portal.
Non-unanimity in the EU
The Russian businessman, through its related companies (Norica Holding based in Luxembourg, Opansa Enterprises and Rainbee Holdings based in Cyprus), holds about 20% of shares in the Polish Grupa Azota. But he never controlled it, though he did so. Following the outbreak of Russia's full-scale war against Ukraine, Kantor was subject to EU sanctions. However, on Friday, the EU decided to remove it from the list of persons subject to sanctions, after Hungary had submitted specified a request. This decision results in the freezing of oligarchy assets in EU countries.
EU sanctions, which cover more than 2,000 people and entities from Russia, including Putin, are extended all six months. However, the unanimity of all associate States is required each time to extend them.
The United Kingdom and Switzerland proceed to keep sanctions against Moshe Kantor, explaining their decisions with Kantor's close ties to Vladimir Putin's regime. The head of the Polish Ministry of abroad Affairs pointed out that these countries besides respect Kantor as a individual connected to the Russian regime, which is the basis for maintaining sanctions.
Response from the Azota Group
The Azota Group announced on Sunday in a message that the assets of the Russian oligarch of Wiaczesław Moshe Kantor stay frozen as a consequence of sanctions imposed by Poland. The communication states that Kantor holds precisely 19.82% of shares, nevertheless is not the real beneficiary of the Company, does not own it, nor does it control it and has never controlled it before.
The Azoty pointed out that there are no grounds for the company itself, straight or indirectly, to be subject to any sanctions.
The Azota S.A. Group abides by all sanctions, condemns Russia's aggression and all actions against Ukraine, has no relations with the Government of the Russian Federation, so there is no hazard of the company being sanctioned – it is written in the communication.
