Ukraine anger as EU removes Russian oligarchs from sanctions list
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Ukraine anger as EU removes Russian oligarchs from sanctions list
Image source: Reuters
Image caption: Usmanov is described as having particularly close ties to President Putin
By Robert Greenall
Published 1 hour ago
The European Union is set to remove sanctions on two oligarchs imposed after Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, according to reports, sparking anger in Ukraine.
France had lobbied for Russian-Uzbek billionaire Alisher Usmanov to be taken off the list, citing "national security concerns". Luxembourg also called for the removal of Russian-Israeli businessman Mikhail Fridman, who is suing the country for the release of frozen assets.
Latvia initially opposed the deal but eventually agreed to a compromise, which extended sanctions on nearly 3,000 other individuals and entities for three years.
Ukrainian officials described the move as "unacceptable" and sent the wrong signal to Moscow.
"Moscow is celebrating because it got what it wanted: a sense of impunity, the humiliation of the EU, and division among Europeans," said Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha on X. He urged EU member states to instead announce national sanctions on the two individuals. Latvia has already committed to doing so.
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov welcomed the potential removal of the oligarchs, claiming the EU's sanctions were illegal and all Russians should be removed.
Usmanov, who founded the USM Holding company, an investment group with interests in iron, steel, copper suppliers, and telecommunications, has in the past been linked to English Premier League clubs Arsenal and Everton. The EU froze his assets in 2022, describing him as "a pro-Kremlin oligarch with particularly close ties to Russian president Vladimir Putin". Usmanov disputed this, calling the decision "unfair".
It's reported France's initiative was linked to a prospective prisoner release deal with Azerbaijan.
Fridman, a Russian-Israeli citizen born in Ukraine, is the founder of the Alfa Group investment conglomerate, with key interests in energy and banking. The EU has described him as a top Russian financier and enabler of Putin's inner circle. Fridman himself stated at the outset of Russia's invasion that the conflict should end swiftly but avoided outright condemnation of President Putin.
His Russian-Latvian business partner Pyotr Aven was stripped of Latvia's highest civilian honour in 2022 for failing to condemn the invasion of Ukraine. This may have influenced Latvia's initial opposition to the sanctions removal, but it ultimately changed its vote to an abstention as a compromise was reached.
The new deal extended sanctions on around 2,600 individuals and entities to three years, previously renewed every six months. Latvian Prime Minister Andris Kulbergs also announced France had agreed to start talks with Latvia about joining a French nuclear deterrence initiative and strengthening its military presence in the country.