World Affairs
EU sanctions delistings draw backlash after three-year Russia renewal
More than 3,000 people and entities remain covered, while the removal of two prominent business figures has reopened a dispute over the bloc's sanctions policy.
Executive summary
- The renewal: The EU Council extended individual sanctions tied to Russia's war against Ukraine for 36 months, through September 22, 2029.[1]
- The exceptions: The Council said it did not renew three individual listings and one entity; Reuters and Le Monde identified Alisher Usmanov and Mikhail Fridman among those removed.[1][2][3]
- The reaction: Ukrainian officials and some EU members criticized the two delistings, with Estonia's foreign minister telling Reuters the move sent a bad signal as Russia presses its war.[2][3]
- The scope: The wider measures still cover more than 3,000 individuals and entities and include travel restrictions, asset freezes and bans on making funds available to those listed.[1]
The European Union's decision to renew Russia-related individual sanctions for three years drew criticism Wednesday after the bloc removed two prominent business figures from its list. The Council said the broader measures will run through September 22, 2029, and continue to cover more than 3,000 people and entities.[1][2]
The Council said it chose not to renew the listings of three individuals and one entity, without naming them in its announcement. Reuters and Le Monde reported that Alisher Usmanov and Mikhail Fridman were among those delisted. Their removal ends the EU asset freezes and travel restrictions applied to them under this sanctions regime, while the wider list remains in force.[1][2][3]
Officials in Ukraine and several EU countries objected to the exceptions. Estonian Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna told Reuters the step sent a bad signal while Russia intensified pressure on Ukraine. Ukraine's sanctions-policy commissioner welcomed the longer renewal but questioned the decision to remove the two names.[2][3]
The distinction is important: the EU did not lift its broader Russia sanctions. The Council says the renewed individual measures include travel restrictions, asset freezes and prohibitions on making funds available to listed people and entities. An EU foreign-policy spokesperson said Wednesday that work on additional sanctions continued, Reuters reported.[1][2]