EU Faces Ukrainian Anger Over Removal of Russian Oligarchs from Sanctions List

The European Union is reportedly set to remove sanctions against two Russian oligarchs, Alisher Usmanov and Mikhail Fridman, who were sanctioned following Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. This decision has ignited anger in Ukraine, with officials calling the move "unacceptable" and a signal of impunity to Moscow.

France had reportedly pushed for the removal of Alisher Usmanov, citing "national security concerns." Usmanov, a Russian-Uzbek billionaire, founded USM Holding, an investment group with stakes in iron, steel, copper, and telecommunications. The EU had previously frozen his assets, describing him as a "pro-Kremlin oligarch with particularly close ties to Russian president Vladimir Putin." Usmanov has contested the sanctions, calling them "unfair."

Luxembourg advocated for the removal of Russian-Israeli businessman Mikhail Fridman, who is reportedly suing the country to unfreeze his assets. Fridman also has close ties to President Putin.

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha stated on X that the EU's decision would allow "Moscow to celebrate" and contribute to a sense of impunity, EU humiliation, and division among European nations. He urged all EU member states to impose national sanctions on the two individuals, a move Latvia has already committed to undertaking.

Latvia initially opposed the EU's decision but agreed to a compromise that included extending sanctions on nearly 3,000 other individuals and entities for an additional three years. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov welcomed the potential removal of Usmanov and Fridman from the sanctions list, asserting that the EU's sanctions were unlawful and that all Russians should be exempted.

Reports suggest that France's initiative regarding Usmanov might be connected to a potential prisoner release deal with Azerbaijan.