The EU has removed Alisher Usmanov and Mikhail Fridman from its sanctions list, despite opposition, as a 36-month extension of restrictions on 3,000 individuals and companies is agreed. The decision comes as the bloc faces a deadline to renew sanctions against those accused of supporting the Ukraine war.
France and Luxembourg pushed for the removal of the two oligarchs, citing national security concerns and legal disputes. France cited a potential prisoner exchange deal involving French nationals and Azerbaijan, while Luxembourg cited a €15 billion lawsuit by Fridman over frozen assets.
The move has sparked criticism from Ukraine, which called the decision 'shameful and unjustifiable'. The EU's compromise to extend sanctions for three years aims to provide predictability, but tensions remain as some member states question the precedent of weakening sanctions for national interests.
Ukraine's foreign minister condemned the decision, accusing Moscow of securing 'a sense of impunity' and 'humiliation of the EU'. The EU's compromise to delist the two oligarchs despite opposition highlights the challenges in maintaining unified sanctions against Russia.