EU drops sanctions for Russian oligarchs Usmanov and Fridman

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1. 35m ago

   EU Removes Russian Oligarchs Usmanov and Fridman from Sanctions

   The European Union has renewed its Russia sanctions while removing Russian billionaires Alisher Usmanov and Mikhail Fridman as a deadline looms. The decision has sparked anger in Ukraine and drew sharp criticism from the United Kingdom, which announced it will keep sanctions in place on the Russian tycoons. France and Luxembourg played a central role in the outcome, with France previously blocking EU efforts in a push to spare Usmanov. The move has exposed deep divisions within the international sanctions regime against Moscow.

   Why it matters

   The removal of high-profile billionaires from the European Union penalty list highlights friction among Western allies enforcing measures against Russian wealth. While London maintains its restrictive stance, the European bloc faces a severe backlash over the policy shift. The timing of the decision coincided with an expiring sanctions deadline, forcing internal compromises.

   What is confirmed

   • The European Union renewed its Russia sanctions while dropping billionaires Usmanov and Fridman.
   • France blocked European Union sanctions in a push to spare oligarch Usmanov.
   • The United Kingdom stated it will keep sanctions on Russian tycoons and criticized the EU's decision to lift them.
   • Ukraine expressed anger over the removal of the Russian oligarchs from the sanctions list.

   Still unconfirmed

   • France and Luxembourg fatally wounded the EU's Russia sanctions regime.

   What to watch next

   • Any potential policy adjustments or statements from London regarding UK-EU alignment on sanctions.
   • Further official responses from Ukrainian leadership concerning the European Union's sanctions decisions.
   Sources used for this update (9)

   1. The Washington Post — France blocks E.U. sanctions on Russia in push to spare oligarch Usmanov
   2. Reuters — EU renews Russia sanctions, drops Russian billionaires Usmanov and Fridman
   3. The Guardian — EU removes oligarchs from Russia sanctions list as deadline looms
   4. BBC — Ukraine anger as EU removes Russian oligarchs from sanctions list
   5. dw.com — EU drops sanctions for Russian oligarchs Usmanov and Fridman
   6. Euronews.com — Russia sanctions showdown leaves a bad taste
   7. Bloomberg.com — UK Will Keep Sanctions on Russian Tycoons, Critical of EU’s Lift
   8. Reuters — EU faces backlash after lifting sanctions on Russian billionaires
   9. Financial Times — How France and Luxembourg fatally wounded the EU’s Russia sanctions regime
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