The EU has removed two Russian oligarchs, Alisher Usmanov and Mikhail Fridman, from its sanctions list, despite opposition from Latvia and Ukraine. The decision follows negotiations involving France and Luxembourg, with Slovakia also playing a role.
Usmanov, a close associate of Russian President Vladimir Putin, is linked to major Russian businesses including Metalloinvest and Megafon. He was sanctioned by the EU, UK, and US in 2022. France's push to delist Usmanov was influenced by Azerbaijan's demand to release two French prisoners.
Latvia rejected a deal to lift sanctions on Usmanov and Fridman in exchange for keeping other individuals and entities under sanctions. The Latvian Prime Minister called the proposal 'unacceptable' and will convene an emergency meeting to discuss the issue. The EU's sanctions, which expire Tuesday, could be renewed unless a unanimous decision is made.
Ukraine called the decision 'unacceptable' and France faced criticism for its role in the move. The EU's sanctions, which target Russia's war in Ukraine, are set to expire unless renewed by all 27 member states.