Ukraine anger as EU removes Russian oligarchs from sanctions list

Image source, Reuters Image caption, Usmanov is described as having particularly close ties to President Putin

The European Union is to remove sanctions on two oligarchs imposed after Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, according to reports, prompting anger in Ukraine.

France had campaigned for Russian-Uzbek billionaire Alisher Usmanov to be taken off the list, citing "national security concerns". Luxembourg called for the removal of Russian-Israeli businessman Mikhail Fridman, who is suing the country for the release of frozen assets.

Latvia initially opposed the deal but agreed to a compromise, part of which involved extending sanctions on nearly 3,000 other individuals and entities for three years.

Ukrainian officials said the move was "unacceptable" and sent the wrong signal to Moscow.

"Moscow is celebrating because it got what it wanted: a sense of impunity, the humiliation of the EU, and division among Europeans," Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha said on X.