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Latvia blocks EU deal to lift sanctions on Russian oligarchs
European Union ambassadors have failed to reach a consensus on the renewal of sanctions against Russia, facing a potential expiration of measures against nearly 3,000 individuals and entities. The impasse stems from a proposed compromise that would lift sanctions on Russian oligarchs Alisher Usmanov and Mikhail Fridman in exchange for extending sanctions on other targets for 36 months.
Latvia has blocked this deal, with Prime Minister Andris Kulbergs and Foreign Minister Baiba Braze stating that the EU must strengthen rather than weaken its sanctions regime. The push to remove Usmanov is supported by France and Slovakia; diplomats suggest France's position may be linked to a potential prisoner exchange involving French citizens in Azerbaijan. Meanwhile, Luxembourg has requested the removal of Mikhail Fridman, who is currently engaged in legal arbitration against the Grand Duchy.
Ukraine has expressed strong opposition to any easing of sanctions, warning that such a move would send a negative signal to Moscow. Because EU sanction decisions require unanimous approval from all 27 member states, Latvia's opposition threatens the entire renewal process.
Entities
Alisher Usmanov · Andris Kulbergs · Baiba Braže · European Union · Latvia · Mikhail Fridman
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [● 11 SOURCES] The EU must decide on the extension of sanctions against approximately 3,000 other individuals, companies, and entities. www.harzkurier.de · www.ikz-online.de · www.nrz.de · www.tlz.de · www.abendblatt.de · +6 more
- [● 11 SOURCES] Slovakia has requested the lifting of sanctions on Alisher Usmanov, a move supported by France. www.harzkurier.de · www.ikz-online.de · www.nrz.de · www.tlz.de · www.abendblatt.de · +6 more
- [● 11 SOURCES] Luxembourg has demanded the removal of Mikhail Fridman from the sanctions list in exchange for lifting Usmanov's sanctions. www.harzkurier.de · www.ikz-online.de · www.nrz.de · www.tlz.de · www.abendblatt.de · +6 more
- [● 11 SOURCES] A potential compromise involves extending sanctions for 36 months instead of six months. www.harzkurier.de · www.ikz-online.de · www.nrz.de · www.tlz.de · www.abendblatt.de · +6 more
- [● 11 SOURCES] Latvian Foreign Minister Baiba Braze stated the EU must strengthen rather than weaken sanctions against Russia. www.harzkurier.de · www.ikz-online.de · www.nrz.de · www.tlz.de · www.abendblatt.de · +6 more
- [● 9 SOURCES] The EU is considering lifting sanctions on Alisher Usmanov and Mikhail Fridman to avoid a total blockade of sanctions by individual member states. www.harzkurier.de · www.ikz-online.de · www.nrz.de · www.tlz.de · www.abendblatt.de · +4 more
- [● 11 SOURCES] Latvia is blocking a deal to lift EU sanctions against Russian oligarchs Alisher Usmanov and Mikhail Fridman. www.harzkurier.de · www.ikz-online.de · www.nrz.de · www.tlz.de · www.abendblatt.de · +6 more
- [● 4 SOURCES] EU sanctions require unanimous approval from all 27 member states to be renewed. fjala.al · zhurnal.mk · 24-ore.com · www.forum24.cz
- [● 5 SOURCES] EU ambassadors failed to finalize an agreement on Monday night to extend sanctions against nearly 3,000 individuals and entities linked to Russia. fjala.al · zhurnal.mk · 24-ore.com · www.forum24.cz · newsmonkey.be
- [● 3 SOURCES] France's support for lifting Usmanov's sanctions may be linked to a potential deal regarding the release of French citizens held in Azerbaijan. fjala.al · newsmonkey.be · www.epochtimes.de
- [● 4 SOURCES] Luxembourg has requested the removal of Mikhail Fridman from the sanctions list as a condition for lifting Usmanov's sanctions. fjala.al · zhurnal.mk · newsmonkey.be · www.sondakika.com
- [● 5 SOURCES] France and Slovakia have supported the removal of Alisher Usmanov from the EU sanctions list. fjala.al · zhurnal.mk · 24-ore.com · newsmonkey.be · www.sondakika.com