The European Union has taken two prominent Russian businessmen off its list of sanctioned individuals, a move that has drawn sharp criticism from Ukraine.
Alisher Usmanov and Mikhail Fridman, both long-standing figures in Russia’s business elite and described as having close ties to President Vladimir Putin, were among those whose names were struck from the EU measures. The decision marks a notable change in the bloc’s handling of sanctions against certain Russian nationals.
Backlash in Kyiv
Ukrainian officials reacted angrily to the removal, saying the step risked sending the wrong signals to the Kremlin. Kyiv characterised the decision as undermining efforts to hold Moscow and its associates to account for actions the EU has said warrant restrictive measures.
Wider implications
While EU member states periodically review and adjust their sanctions lists, the carriage of such changes is politically sensitive. Critics in Ukraine and elsewhere say alterations that ease restrictions on figures seen as close to Russia’s leadership can be perceived as a weakening of pressure, and will be closely watched by allies and adversaries alike.
Both Usmanov and Fridman are well-known within international business circles for their vast holdings and long involvement in global markets, and their removal from the sanctions list is likely to prompt renewed debate about the EU’s approach to sanctions policy and coordination with partners concerned about Russian influence.