Zelensky calls removal of Russian oligarchs from EU sanctions list "suicidal"

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has strongly criticized a decision by European Union member states to remove two Russian oligarchs, Alisher Usmanov and Mikhail Fridman, from the bloc's sanctions list. Speaking after talks with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen in New York, Zelensky wrote on X that such a move comes at a time when Russia continues to strike Ukrainian civilians, with air raid alerts still sounding in several regions due to drone and ballistic missile threats.

Zelensky's message

The Ukrainian leader stressed that easing sanctions on oligarchs close to Russia looks like a contradictory and even dangerous step during wartime. In his view, wars end through determination and strength, not through leniency toward people connected to the aggressor. Zelensky thanked von der Leyen for her willingness to keep working on adding new names of Russian citizens to the EU sanctions lists, saying such steps bring a just peace and security guarantees closer.

Background to the decision

EU member state representatives agreed on Tuesday to extend sanctions against thousands of Russian individuals and entities for another three years. At the same time, however, Usmanov and Fridman were dropped from the list. Usmanov's removal followed tense negotiations in which France linked his delisting to a prisoner exchange with Azerbaijan. Fridman was removed after Slovakia used its veto power against keeping him on the sanctions list, according to several diplomats who spoke to Euronews.