(CNN) The Trump administration on Sunday formally lifted sanctions on three Russian firms with links to oligarch Oleg Deripaska, including Rusal, the world's second-largest aluminum producer.

On Dec. 19, the Treasury Department notified Congress of its intent to lift the sanctions saying the companies were sanctioned because of their ownership and control by Deripaska, not for the conduct of the companies themselves.

The Treasury Department said that Rusal and EN+ Group, the holding company of the Russian aluminum giant, as well as energy firm JSC EuroSibEnergo had made significant restructuring and corporate governance changes to diminish Deripaska's ownership and sever his control to allow them to meet the criteria to be delisted within the 30 days.

"EN+, Rusal and ESE have reduced Oleg Deripaska's direct and indirect shareholding stake in those companies and severed his control," the Treasury Department said in a statement. "This action ensures that the majority of directors on the EN+ and Rusal boards will be independent directors -- including U.S. and European persons who have no business, professional or family ties to Deripaska...and that independent U.S. persons vote a significant bloc of the shares of EN+."

Sanctions on Deripaska remain intact.

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