The European Union is facing growing discontent over the lifting of sanctions against Russian billionaires Mikhail Fridman and Alisher Usmanov; some have pointed out that the decision undermines support for Ukraine and suggests the bloc is yielding to blackmail, reports Reuters.
Following pressure from France—and despite requests from Ukraine—the EU lifted the travel ban on Fridman and Usmanov on the 22nd of September and released their previously frozen assets.
Three diplomats told Reuters that France had privately informed its partners that Azerbaijan was using the sanctions imposed on Usmanov to pressure Paris regarding two French citizens held in Azerbaijan. On the 23rd of September, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev pardoned a French citizen who had been detained for espionage—a move Paris described as a humanitarian gesture. France’s push to lift sanctions on Usmanov prompted Luxembourg to request the same for Fridman, who had filed a claim worth 16 billion dollars over the freezing of his assets. British financier and opponent of Russian dictator Vladimir Putin, Bill Browder, stated that any Russian billionaire on the sanctions list would now begin cooperating with minor dictatorships around the world to leverage the lifting of sanctions. He wrote on X that France had opened a hellish Pandora’s box.
Diplomats noted that EU governments felt cornered and were forced to accept France’s demand
-which Paris linked to national security – in exchange for extending sanctions by three years against 3,000 other individuals and entities. Diplomats from several countries expressed hope that the sanctions extension would at least prevent others from using similar leverage. France succeeded in getting its demand met because the sanctions deadline was approaching.
The strongest criticism within the EU came from the Baltic states. Latvia initially blocked the plan to lift sanctions on the billionaires and subsequently abstained from the vote. Estonian Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna told Reuters in New York that the decision sent a very bad message at a very inappropriate time, as Russia increases pressure on Ukraine.
Diplomats from the bloc, speaking on condition of anonymity, indicated that dissatisfaction was widespread across the 27-nation community. One of them pointed out that this is certainly not a moment to be proud of.
Vladyslav Vlasyuk, the Ukrainian presidential commissioner for sanctions policy, said he was shocked by the EU’s decision to lift sanctions imposed on the billionaires. He added that he was not prepared for this and could not believe what had happened. While he welcomed the extension of sanctions against other individuals, he questioned the wisdom of lifting sanctions on two such influential figures.
When asked about the decision, EU foreign policy spokesperson Christian Wigand emphasized the extension of sanctions and noted that the bloc would continue to expand them. The bloc has already adopted 21 sanctions packages and will continue to develop further ones. The EU aims to increase pressure on Russia’s military industry and its “shadow fleet.” The EU’s foreign policy arm has proposed 1,600 additions to the sanctions list. Some diplomats expressed hope that member states would quickly approve the additions, thereby demonstrating their determination to maintain the sanctions.
Some diplomats expressed doubts regarding France’s explanation for its request to lift sanctions on Usmanov. French officials appear visibly uncomfortable when defending their position and when asked whether Azerbaijan is the true reason behind Paris’s actions. A high-ranking European official said that France has lost credibility, and this will complicate the country’s ability to advance initiatives within the bloc.
Read also: Latvian prime minister outraged over position Latvia was put in over EU sanctions
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