The European Union plans to remove sanctions on two oligarchs, Alisher Usmanov and Mikhail Fridman, which were imposed after Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022. This decision has led to anger in Ukraine, with officials expressing that it sends the wrong message to Moscow. France advocated for Usmanov's removal from the sanctions list, citing national security concerns, while Luxembourg supported Fridman's removal amid his legal actions for the release of frozen assets.
Latvia initially opposed the removal but ultimately agreed to a compromise that included extending sanctions on nearly 3,000 other individuals and entities for three years. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha criticized the decision, stating that it gives Moscow a sense of impunity and highlights divisions within the EU. He called for national sanctions against Usmanov and Fridman, a move already supported by Latvia.
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov welcomed the potential removal of the sanctions, asserting that the EU's actions were illegal. Usmanov, who founded USM Holding and has connections to various industries including telecommunications, described the decision as unfair. The EU had previously labeled him a pro-Kremlin oligarch with close ties to President Vladimir Putin.
Fridman, a Russian-Israeli businessman, has been characterized by the EU as a significant financier for Putin's inner circle. He has expressed a desire for the conflict in Ukraine to end but has refrained from explicitly condemning Putin. The recent changes in sanctions policy may have been influenced by discussions regarding a potential prisoner release deal involving France and Azerbaijan.
Latvian Prime Minister Andris Kulbergs announced that France would begin talks with Latvia about joining a French nuclear deterrence initiative and enhancing military presence in the region.