Latvia blocks EU sanctions relief for Russian businessmen Usmanov and Fridman

Latvian Prime Minister Andris Kulbergs has voiced opposition to a proposed deal that would lift EU sanctions on Russian billionaires Alisher Usmanov and Mikhail Fridman, as long as other Russia-linked individuals and entities remain subject to sanctions. The current sanctions, imposed due to Russia's war in Ukraine, are set to expire at midnight on Tuesday, barring a unanimous decision among the EU's 27 member countries to extend them for an additional 36 months.

The deal, sparked by France and Slovakia, would see sanctions on Usmanov and Fridman lifted, while those on around 3,000 other Russia-linked individuals and businesses would be renewed for three years. Kulbergs deems this offer unacceptable, stating that Latvia cannot accept such a compromise. The prime minister emphasized that the price for lifting sanctions on the two billionaires should not be simply removing them from the sanctions list.

France's push for lifting sanctions on Usmanov came after Azerbaijan detained at least two French nationals, according to diplomats. Luxembourg subsequently demanded the same treatment for Fridman, a Russian businessman, in a dispute currently being resolved through arbitration. Fridman is seeking $16 billion from Luxembourg. Kulbergs announced an emergency cabinet meeting the following day to discuss the matter, expressing Latvia's commitment to finding a solution that aligns with the country's interests. EU ambassadors are scheduled to resume talks on Tuesday morning to attempt to resolve the impasse.