Fridman sees no threat for Wintershall-DEA merger from sanctions

MOSCOW, Feb 1 (PRIME) -- The inclusion of Mikhail Fridman in the list of people that the U.S. may subject to sanctions will not impede a merger between BASF’s Wintershall and DEA company belonging to Fridman’s LetterOne company, he said on Thursday.

“So far, I see no additional risks. The list says clearly that it does not carry any restrictions. This is just a list of businessmen with a wealth of over U.S.$1 billion,” he told reporters. “So far, it is going on exactly as it used to be.”

The deal is to be closed in July–December 2018.

But Fridman said the sanctions are no help to his Alfa Group.

“It is really hard to say now how it will influence X5 and our other businesses but it is highly unlikely to be beneficial given the U.S. sanctions policies,” he said.

“On the other hand, we believe and we have always been open about our views that business should distance from politics as much as possible … although I believe in justice and that it will triumph, but anything can happen.

“We will hope for the best and on our part make all efforts so that the existing political problems reflect on us and our customers as little as possible.”

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