Latvia blocks initiative to lift EU sanctions on Usmanov and Fridman - media

Latvia has blocked an EU proposal to lift sanctions on Russian businessmen Alisher Usmanov and Mikhail Fridman, according to Euractiv. The EU sanctions on nearly 3,000 individuals and entities tied to Russia could expire by the end of the day, as Latvia has opposed a proposed compromise involving the two businessmen, as reported by the outlet citing diplomats.

France had initially pushed for the sanctions on Usmanov to be lifted, after which Slovakia and Luxembourg took the same stance regarding Fridman. In return, Paris and Bratislava agreed to extend the sanctions regime from six months to three years. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha has criticized any deal that would remove sanctions against the two oligarchs, describing them as part of Russia's aggressive regime fighting a war against Ukraine.

Despite earlier reports of failed consensus among EU countries to remove Usmanov and Fridman from the sanctions list, discussions continued on Tuesday. Efforts were also underway to finalize a written procedure to address these issues, with results expected by midday.