Latvia blocks deal to remove Usmanov from EU sanctions list
The French push to remove Uzbek-Russian businessman Alisher Usmanov from the sanctions list was stopped by Latvia at the last minute.
Latvia has blocked a deal to remove Uzbek-Russian businessman Alisher Usmanov from the EU sanctions list, preventing a compromise that was favored by France. The decision was made by Latvia's Prime Minister Andris Kulbergs, who stated that as long as Russia continues its war, Europe's pressure must be stronger, not more convenient for the Kremlin.
France has linked Usmanov's removal to the release of two French nationals imprisoned in Azerbaijan, which has angered other member states. Slovakia also demanded Usmanov's removal, but for different reasons. Ireland, holding the EU Council presidency, proposed a compromise that would remove Usmanov and another businessman, Mikhail Fridman, from the sanctions list but extend the regime for 36 months.
However, Latvia was the only country to oppose the deal, preventing the required unanimity and threatening to end the sanctions for all 2,600 names, including Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Brief written by urgent.news from Euronews's own syndicated text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
