Latvia gives in to France's demands to lift EU sanctions on two Russian oligarchs, diplomats say

Latvia has agreed to lift its opposition to a plan by Slovakia and France to remove two Russian oligarchs from EU sanctions, diplomats have disclosed. The decision follows a weeks-long delay in renewing the European bloc's sanctions on Russia. The EU Council spokesperson stated that the compromise reached is difficult, with EU ambassadors tentatively agreeing to extend the sanctions for 36 months instead of the initially planned 12 months.

Ukraine's sanctions chief criticized the move, calling it astonishing and embarrassing. Initially, Latvia publicly opposed the Franco-Slovak plan, but now it will abstain from the vote, allowing the measure to proceed without its approval. Three EU countries, including Latvia, Belgium, and Lithuania, have committed to abstaining, but they cannot allow the sanctions to expire.

The sanctioned individuals, Mikhail Fridman and Alisher Usmanov, are considered close associates of Russian President Vladimir Putin. The renewed sanctions will remain in place until September 22, 2029, pending formal approval by national ministers.