'Not the time to shield Russian oligarchs,' Zelensky says as EU delays sanctions decision amid pressure from France
Ukraine is preparing sanctions against more than 20 Russian oligarchs following the European Union's decision to remove Alisher Usmanov and Mikhail Fridman from its sanctions list. Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha confirmed the move as Kyiv responds to the split among EU allies over the two businessmen. Ukraine is simultaneously seeking to reinstate the restrictions against Usmanov. This move comes as President Volodymyr Zelenskyy argues that the current climate is not the time to shield Russian billionaires while Moscow continues to attack civilians.
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- ✓ Ukraine is preparing sanctions against more than 20 Russian oligarchs.
- ✓ The European Union removed Mikhail Fridman and Alisher Usmanov from its sanctions list.
What changed
Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha identified Mikhail Fridman and Alisher Usmanov as the specific individuals whose EU delisting triggered Ukraine's new list of 20 targets.
Live updates
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Ukraine targets 20 Russian oligarchs after EU delistings
Ukraine is preparing sanctions against more than 20 Russian oligarchs following the European Union's decision to remove Alisher Usmanov and Mikhail Fridman from its sanctions list. Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha confirmed the move as Kyiv responds to the split among EU allies over the two businessmen. Ukraine is simultaneously seeking to reinstate the restrictions against Usmanov. This move comes as President Volodymyr Zelenskyy argues that the current climate is not the time to shield Russian billionaires while Moscow continues to attack civilians.
Why it matters
The European Union's penalty regime faces internal friction as member states disagree on which individuals to target. Kyiv relies on these sanctions to pressure Moscow and limit the financial resources available to the Russian state. Discrepancies between EU and Ukrainian lists create gaps in the coordinated effort to isolate Russian wealth.
What is confirmed
- Ukraine is preparing sanctions against more than 20 Russian oligarchs.
- The European Union removed Mikhail Fridman and Alisher Usmanov from its sanctions list.
Still unconfirmed
- Kyiv is seeking the reinstatement of restrictions against Alisher Usmanov.
What to watch next
- EU decision on the reinstatement of sanctions against Alisher Usmanov
- Official publication of the Ukrainian sanctions list targeting the 20 oligarchs
confidence 100%Sources used for this update (3)
- www.bgnes.com — Kyiv responds to EU delisting of two oligarchs with new ...
- mezha.net — Ukraine prepares sanctions against 20 Russian oligarchs after ...
- unn.ua — Ukraine has prepared a list of more than 20 Russian oligarchs ...
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Ukraine Prepares Sanctions as EU Struggles With Oligarch Blacklist
Ukraine plans to target more than twenty Russian oligarchs following European Union delistings, according to remarks from Kyiv. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy asserts that Moscow continues to terrorize civilians and demands that new sanctions packages take effect in October. Meanwhile, the latest punitive measures by the bloc have exposed deeper friction regarding how Europe manages its penalty regime against billionaires, as EU decisions face scrutiny amid political pressure from member states.
Why it matters
The disagreement over European Union blacklists highlights internal divisions among Western allies regarding the enforcement of economic measures against Russian wealth. While Ukraine seeks to close loopholes and punish prominent figures, diplomatic maneuvering by individual member states threatens to weaken collective leverage. Kyiv's retaliatory move to draft its own expanded blacklist emphasizes the widening gap between Ukrainian expectations and European diplomatic compromises.
What is confirmed
- Ukraine is preparing sanctions against more than twenty Russian oligarchs in response to EU delistings.
- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that Russia shows no signs of slowing the war.
Still unconfirmed
- Europe's latest sanctions move has exposed issues within the bloc's punitive regime beyond billionaires slipping off a blacklist.
What to watch next
- Whether the EU sanctions packages take effect in October as called for by Zelenskyy
- Final implementation details of Ukraine's planned sanctions against the additional Russian oligarchs
confidence 90%Sources used for this update (3)
- www.theguardian.com — Ukraine war briefing: Zelenskyy says Moscow terrorising Ukrainians as fresh strikes kill eight
- adalytica.com — EU sanctions on Russian oligarchs face scrutiny | Adalytica
- kyivindependent.com — Ukraine prepares sanctions on 20-plus Russian oligarchs in ...
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EU Delays Sanctions Decision Amid Pressure from France
The European Union has delayed its decision on sanctions against Russian oligarchs, with France lobbying to remove Alisher Usmanov from the list. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky criticized the delay, stating it is "not the time to shield Russian oligarchs." The UK opposes the delisting of two Russian oligarchs, including Usmanov, and has assured Ukraine that it will keep sanctions in place.
Why it matters
The EU's decision to delay sanctions against Russian oligarchs comes amid ongoing pressure from France and other countries. The move has been met with criticism from Ukraine, which has been affected by Russia's actions. The sanctions are seen as a key tool in putting pressure on Russia to change its behavior.
What is confirmed
- The EU extended existing Russia sanctions by seven days after failing to agree on a six-month renewal.
- The UK opposes the delisting of two Russian oligarchs, including Alisher Usmanov.
- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky criticized the delay, stating it is "not the time to shield Russian oligarchs."
- On September 22, EU countries agreed to remove two Russian billionaires from the sanctions list: Alisher Usmanov and Mikhail Fridman.
- The EU extended broader restrictions through 2029.
- The UK has assured Ukraine that it will keep sanctions in place against Russian billionaires Alisher Usmanov and Mikhail Fridman.
Still unconfirmed
- France has tied the renewal of broader sanctions to the delisting of Alisher Usmanov, seeking to use the move to secure the release of French nationals held in Azerbaijan.
What to watch next
- The EU's next decision on sanctions against Russian oligarchs
- The impact of the UK's opposition to the delisting of Russian oligarchs
- The response from Ukraine and other countries affected by Russia's actions
confidence 90%Sources used for this update (13)
- kyivindependent.com — Head of Ukraine's Eastern Operational Command steps down amid military reshuffle
- kyivindependent.com — Abbey Fenbert
- www.yahoo.com — UK opposes EU delisting of 2 Russian oligarchs, calls for ...
- www.europesays.com — UK to Keep Sanctions on 2 Russian Oligarchs Despite EU ...
- meduza.io — The EU lifted sanctions on Russian billionaires Alisher ...
- kyivindependent.com — UK opposes EU delisting of 2 Russian oligarchs, calls for ...
- www.yahoo.com — UK PM promises Zelenskyy to keep sanctions on Russian ... - Yahoo
- uk.news.yahoo.com — Don't weaken sanctions on Russian oligarchs, Zelensky pleads ...
- newsukraine.rbc.ua — Usmanov, Fridman off sanctions list, other Russian ...
- www.europesays.com — Europe Trades Two Oligarchs for a Three-Year Freeze as ...
- newsukraine.rbc.ua — EU sanctions - Russian oligarchs seek ways to get ...
- www.europesays.com — Zelensky Says Andy Burnham Will Not Seek to Lift UK Sanctions ...
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EU delays Russia sanctions renewal as France pushes to delist oligarch Usmanov
EU envoys extended existing Russia sanctions by seven days after failing to agree on a six-month renewal. France and Slovakia are lobbying to remove Russian oligarch Alisher Usmanov from the sanctions list. France has tied the renewal of broader sanctions to this delisting, seeking to use the move to secure the release of French nationals held in Azerbaijan. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky criticized the delay, stating it is "not the time to shield Russian oligarchs."
Why it matters
The European Union periodically reviews and renews its sanctions regime against Russia to maintain economic pressure. Disagreements over specific individuals on the list can stall the entire rollover process. This dispute highlights a tension between collective security measures and individual diplomatic priorities.
What is confirmed
- EU envoys extended Russia sanctions by seven days to debate a six-month renewal.
- France and Slovakia have asked to delist Russian oligarch Usmanov.
- France is seeking Usmanov's delisting to secure the release of French nationals in Azerbaijan.
- President Zelensky stated it is "not the time to shield Russian oligarchs."
What to watch next
- The outcome of the EU debate on the six-month sanctions renewal.
- Whether the EU agrees to delist Alisher Usmanov.
- Confirmation of the release of French nationals from Azerbaijan.
confidence 100%Sources used for this update (11)
- politico.eu — EU fails to agree Russia sanctions rollover with one day to spare
- Euronews.com — France joins Slovakia in asking to delist Russian oligarch Usmanov
- Financial Times — France in ‘astonishing’ push to lift EU sanctions on Russian oligarch
- Reuters — EU envoys extend Russia sanctions by seven days to debate six-month renewal, EU presidency says
- Euronews.com — France seeks Usmanov delisting to free French nationals in Azerbaijan
- kyivindependent.com — 'Not the time to shield Russian oligarchs,' Zelensky says as EU delays sanctions decision amid pressure from France
- Bloomberg.com — France Lobbies EU to Lift Sanctions on Russian Tycoon Usmanov
- Euronews.com — France ties EU sanctions renewal to prisoner release
- politico.eu — EU demands answers as France pushes for billionaire's Russia sanctions release
- France 24 — France stalls EU Russia sanctions renewal over oligarch de-listing
- www.yahoo.com — Russia's military recruitment drive in Africa — Time to reassess relationship
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