The EU removes Russian billionaires Alisher Usmanov and Mikhail Fridman from the sanctions list. Ukraine denounces the decision

European Union member states have reached a compromise to maintain the blacklist concerning Russia, removing billionaires Alisher Usmanov and Mikhail Fridman from it, despite opposition from several countries. France cited national security reasons in Usmanov’s case, while Luxembourg called for similar treatment for Fridman, who is suing the Grand Duchy over the freezing of his assets.

The decision was criticized by Ukraine, which called it “shameful and unjustifiable.” To allow the delistings, sanctions against nearly 3,000 individuals and companies were extended by 36 months, instead of undergoing the usual review every six months. The EU is also preparing approximately 1,600 new sanctions.