EU to lift sanctions on two Russian oligarchs

EU nations have reached a compromise to lift sanctions on Russian oligarchs Alisher Usmanov and Mikhail Fridman, removing them from the blacklist. However, overall, the sanctions on around 3,000 other individuals and entities related to the war in Ukraine will be extended for three years, until September 2029. Latvia's initial veto to drop was overcome after days of intense opposition led by France, who argued that the move could set a dangerous precedent for blackmailing to remove individuals from the sanctions list.

Meanwhile, Ukraine has expressed anger at the EU's decision to lift sanctions on the two billionaires, urging the bloc to instead increase pressure on Moscow. France had demanded the removal of Usmanov due to national security concerns, claiming it was linked to a potential prisoner release deal involving French nationals held in Azerbaijan.

Luxembourg, however, insisted on removing Fridman as well, as he is suing the country for 15 billion euros for freezing his assets under EU sanctions. Despite the compromise, several EU officials criticized France's stance, stating that it creates the possibility of blackmailing to delist individuals. The agreement allows the EU to avoid the headache of sanction renewals for the foreseeable future, with the Kremlin backing the move to remove Usmanov and Fridman from the blacklist.