By AZE.US
The European Union has extended sanctions on about 3,000 Russian individuals and entities for three years while removing billionaires Alisher Usmanov and Mikhail Fridman from the list.
The decision was approved on Sept. 22 after difficult negotiations among EU governments. The individual restrictions previously required renewal every six months; the new agreement keeps the remaining measures in place for 36 months.
The compromise removed Usmanov and Fridman in exchange for the longer extension. France sought Usmanov’s removal on national security grounds, while Luxembourg supported lifting restrictions on Fridman, who has filed a $16 billion claim against the country.
Latvia was the last member state opposing the deal but ultimately abstained and did not block the unanimous decision. Riga is considering national sanctions against the two businessmen.
Azerbaijan Claim Disputed
European diplomats cited by Reuters said France’s position may have been linked to negotiations involving French citizens detained in Azerbaijan.
Azerbaijan categorically rejected the suggestion that it had pressured Paris, and France has not publicly confirmed the account.
The EU sanctions imposed after Russia’s full-scale war against Ukraine include travel and transaction bans and asset freezes.
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha called the removal of the two businessmen unjustified and urged European countries to impose national restrictions on them.
AZE.US