EU in showdown over Russian oligarch sanctions as deadline nears
Summary
EU countries are racing to agree on extending sanctions on Russia after Latvia blocked a compromise that would have removed Russian businessmen Alisher Usmanov and Mikhail Fridman from the blacklist. The dispute comes as the bloc faces a deadline to keep nearly 3,000 sanctions listings in force over the Ukraine war.
Key Points
- EU member states resumed negotiations to extend sanctions on Russia after Latvia objected to a deal involving two Russian oligarchs.
- The proposed compromise would have removed asset freezes and visa bans on Alisher Usmanov and Mikhail Fridman while extending sanctions on thousands of others for three more years.
- Ukraine condemned any delisting, warning it would weaken pressure on Moscow, while Latvia and other hawkish states pushed to keep sanctions tight.
- EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said sanctions are a core part of the bloc’s response and urged member states to maintain them.
