Latvian Prime Minister Andris Kulbergs posted on X on Monday night that Latvia will not agree to a deal that would lift European Union sanctions on Russian‑linked billionaires Alisher Usmanov and Mikhail Fridman. The proposal, floated by other EU members, would remove asset freezes and travel bans on the two men while renewing sanctions on about 3,000 other Russia‑linked individuals and entities for a further 36 months.
Why Latvia Says No
Kulbergs argued that extending sanctions for three years is the correct course, but “the price for it must not be simply striking both individuals from the sanctions list.” He said Latvia will convene an emergency cabinet meeting on Tuesday to discuss the matter and will work with Brussels and Paris to find a solution that protects Latvia’s interests.
EU Context and Recent Moves
The sanctions, imposed because of Russia’s war in Ukraine, are set to expire at midnight on Tuesday unless all 27 EU member states vote unanimously to renew them. France recently joined Slovakia in urging the EU to lift sanctions on Usmanov, a Russian‑Uzbek businessman, while Luxembourg has pushed for the same treatment for Fridman, a Russian entrepreneur. French officials say the push came after pressure from Azerbaijan, which has detained at least two French nationals, though an Azerbaijani diplomat denied any coercion.
Both Usmanov and Fridman have contested the allegations that led to their sanctions and have taken legal action to have the measures removed. Fridman is currently seeking $16 billion from Luxembourg in an arbitration case, arguing that the country’s stance on his sanctions could be weakened if the EU lifts sanctions on Usmanov.
Implications for the EU Sanctions Regime
Ambassadors from the EU’s member states are scheduled to resume talks on Tuesday morning to try to break the deadlock. If the sanctions are renewed, the EU will maintain pressure on a broad network of Russian‑linked actors, while the two billionaires would remain under restriction.
Latvia’s refusal highlights the tension within the bloc between members seeking a more pragmatic approach to individual cases and those insisting on a unified, hard‑line stance against Russia’s aggression. The outcome of the talks could set a precedent for how the EU balances targeted relief with collective security objectives.
What’s Next
Following the emergency cabinet meeting, Kulbergs said Latvia will continue to coordinate with Brussels and Paris. The EU’s decision will be announced after the unanimous vote, if it occurs, and will determine whether the sanctions on the broader list of 3,000 individuals and entities are extended.
Original reporting: Appleton, WI News Feed (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
