Russia sanctions showdown leaves a bad taste
The European Union is facing a heavy backlash after dropping sanctions against Russian billionaires Alisher Usmanov and Mikhail Fridman. Ukraine has expressed open anger over the decision, which followed a push by France to spare Usmanov. The developments have left European officials dealing with a contentious fallout, while the EU top diplomat stresses that ongoing restrictions against Russia must continue amid ongoing attacks.
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- ✓ France blocked European Union sanctions on Russia in a push to spare oligarch Alisher Usmanov.
- ✓ The European Union dropped sanctions for Russian oligarchs Usmanov and Fridman.
- ✓ Ukraine expressed anger after the removal of Russian oligarchs from the sanctions list.
- ✓ The European Union faces a backlash following the lifting of sanctions on Russian billionaires.
What changed
The European Union officially dropped sanctions for Russian oligarchs Usmanov and Fridman.
Live updates
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EU Backlash Follows Removal of Russian Oligarchs From Sanctions
The European Union is facing a heavy backlash after dropping sanctions against Russian billionaires Alisher Usmanov and Mikhail Fridman. Ukraine has expressed open anger over the decision, which followed a push by France to spare Usmanov. The developments have left European officials dealing with a contentious fallout, while the EU top diplomat stresses that ongoing restrictions against Russia must continue amid ongoing attacks.
Why it matters
The removal of high-profile Russian oligarchs from the EU punitive list exposes internal divisions within the bloc regarding enforcement against Moscow. France notably blocked measures in an effort to protect Usmanov, drawing sharp criticism from Kyiv and external observers. Personal networks utilized by Russian tycoons also assisted in bypassing the measures, complicating the broader Western economic strategy against Russia.
What is confirmed
- France blocked European Union sanctions on Russia in a push to spare oligarch Alisher Usmanov.
- The European Union dropped sanctions for Russian oligarchs Usmanov and Fridman.
- Ukraine expressed anger after the removal of Russian oligarchs from the sanctions list.
- The European Union faces a backlash following the lifting of sanctions on Russian billionaires.
Still unconfirmed
- A Russian tycoon's personal networks helped beat the European Union on sanctions.
What to watch next
- Further official statements from European Union leadership regarding the criteria for sanctions exemptions
- Diplomatic responses from Kyiv regarding the future of European Union restrictive measures
confidence 95%Sources used for this update (10)
- The Washington Post — France blocks E.U. sanctions on Russia in push to spare oligarch Usmanov
- BBC — Ukraine anger as EU removes Russian oligarchs from sanctions list
- dw.com — EU drops sanctions for Russian oligarchs Usmanov and Fridman
- Euronews.com — Russia sanctions showdown leaves a bad taste
- Reuters — EU faces backlash after lifting sanctions on Russian billionaires
- The Guardian — Ukraine war briefing: Sanctions must continue, EU’s top diplomat stresses, as Russian attacks kill five
- Bloomberg.com — Russian Tycoon’s Personal Networks Helped Beat EU on Sanctions
- Euronews.com — 'No one's happy': Europe wrestles with fallout from Usmanov saga
- Українська правда — Euronews reveals EU mood after Russian oligarch Usmanov sanctions lifted
- economist.com — France forces the EU to lift sanctions on a Russian oligarch
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