EU sanctions on 3,000 Russian-linked individuals and entities are extended for 36 months, while two oligarchs, Alisher Usmanov and Mikhail Fridman, are removed from the list. The decision comes as Ukraine criticizes the move as a betrayal of sanctions aimed at curbing Russia's war in Ukraine.
France and Luxembourg pushed for exemptions, citing national security concerns and legal disputes. France cited a potential prisoner exchange deal involving French nationals held in Azerbaijan, while Luxembourg argued its case against Fridman could be weakened if sanctions were lifted on Usmanov.
The EU's compromise allows for a three-year extension of sanctions, but Ukraine warns that removing oligarchs from the list undermines the effectiveness of sanctions. The EU has promised to add 1,600 new designations related to the Russian military industrial complex in the coming month.
Latvia opposed the decision, arguing that removing oligarchs from sanctions risks setting a precedent that could allow member states to weaken sanctions for national interests.