E.U. drops sanctions on two of Russia’s richest oligarchs despite Kyiv’s outcry

Live updates

1. 1h ago

   EU Removes Russian Oligarchs Usmanov and Fridman from Sanctions List

   The European Union has dropped sanctions against Russian billionaires Alisher Usmanov and Mikhail Fridman as a deadline looms and EU sanctions are renewed. The decision drew immediate backlash from Kyiv, sparking Ukraine anger over the move. Meanwhile, Latvia criticized the action as cherry-picking sanctions that normalizes Russia, noting that Latvia stood alone as the only EU country to oppose lifting the restrictions. France had previously blocked EU sanctions in a push to spare Usmanov, and personal networks aided the tycoons in beating the measures. In contrast, the United Kingdom announced it will keep its sanctions on the Russian tycoons and criticized the EU decision.

   Why it matters

   Sanctions against Russian elites have formed a central pillar of Western economic pressure following the invasion of Ukraine. Divisions among member states periodically complicate these measures as national interests and diplomatic lobbying clash with collective policy. The removal of prominent billionaires highlights the fragile consensus required to sustain long-term restrictive measures.

   What is confirmed

   • The European Union dropped Russian billionaires Alisher Usmanov and Mikhail Fridman from its sanctions list.
   • Latvia was the only EU country to oppose lifting the sanctions on the Russian oligarchs.
   • The United Kingdom stated it will keep sanctions on Russian tycoons and criticized the EU decision.

   Still unconfirmed

   • France blocked EU sanctions in a push to spare oligarch Usmanov.

   What to watch next

   • Further official statements from EU member states regarding the renewed sanctions regime.
   • Potential diplomatic fallout between Kyiv and Brussels over the removal of the oligarchs.
   Sources used for this update (13)

   1. Reuters — EU to lift sanctions on Russia-linked Usmanov and Fridman, diplomats say
   2. The Washington Post — France blocks E.U. sanctions on Russia in push to spare oligarch Usmanov
   3. Reuters — EU renews Russia sanctions, drops Russian billionaires Usmanov and Fridman
   4. The Guardian — EU removes oligarchs from Russia sanctions list as deadline looms
   5. BBC — Ukraine anger as EU removes Russian oligarchs from sanctions list
   6. Euronews.com — 'Cherry-picking sanctions' normalises Russia, Latvian PM warns
   7. Yahoo — 'Cherry-picking sanctions' risks 'normalising' Russia, Latvian PM says amid Usmanov row
   8. dw.com — EU drops sanctions for Russian oligarchs Usmanov and Fridman
   9. Euronews.com — Russia sanctions showdown leaves a bad taste
   10. Українська правда — Latvian PM says Latvia was only EU country to oppose lifting of sanctions on Russian oligarchs
   11. Bloomberg.com — Russian Tycoon’s Personal Networks Helped Beat EU on Sanctions
   12. Bloomberg.com — UK Will Keep Sanctions on Russian Tycoons, Critical of EU’s Lift
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