The lawsuit concerns intercompany loans amounting to some €600 million, which Forward Energo has failed to repay. Most of these loans have reached their maturity date, and no payments have been made. In addition, Forward Energo has defaulted on the interest payments for all the loans, Fortum says in a statement.

The company involved in the lawsuit was formerly owned by Fortum but was placed under temporary management by decree of Russian Leader Vladimir Putin in 2023, transferring it to the Federal Agency for State Property Management. Afterward, the company changed its name to Forward Energo.

Fortum expects the legal proceedings to last several years.

According to the initial loan agreements, disputes between the parties are to be settled in Dutch courts and according to Dutch law.