Ukraine angered by EU's removal of oligarchs Usmanov and Fridman from sanctions list
Ukraine sharply criticized the EU's decision to remove Russian oligarchs Alisher Usmanov and Mikhail Fridman from its sanctions list, urging member states to impose national sanctions instead. Latvia has already introduced such national restrictions on both men.
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha sharply criticized the European Union's decision to remove Russian oligarchs Alisher Usmanov and Mikhail Fridman from its sanctions list, calling the move shameful and unjustified.
Writing on social media, Sybiha said the decision gives Moscow reason to celebrate, as it creates a sense of impunity, undermines the EU's authority, and deepens divisions among European countries. He called on all EU member states to immediately announce their own national sanctions against the two oligarchs to offset the effect of the bloc's collective decision.
Sanctions extended, with exceptions
On Tuesday, EU member state representatives agreed to extend sanctions against thousands of Russian individuals and entities for another three years. However, Usmanov and Fridman were specifically dropped from the list during this process.
Usmanov's removal followed tense negotiations in which France linked his delisting to a prisoner exchange with Azerbaijan. Fridman's removal, meanwhile, came after Slovakia used its veto power against keeping him on the list, according to several diplomats who spoke to Euronews.
Latvia imposes its own sanctions
Despite the change at the EU level, Latvia's government decided on Tuesday to act independently, imposing national financial restrictions and entry bans on both oligarchs. This emerges from documents attached to the agenda of the Cabinet of Ministers meeting.
The government's order states that both Fridman and Usmanov meet the criteria set out in Cabinet regulations for imposing national sanctions on individuals connected to Russia's military aggression against Ukraine.
