Ukraine's foreign minister urges against lifting sanctions on Russian oligarchs
Photo: Andrii Sybiha (facebook.com andrij.sybiha)
Sanctions were imposed on Russian oligarchs Alisher Usmanov and Mikhail Fridman because they are part of Russia's aggression. Lifting the restrictions on them would send a "wrong signal" to Moscow, according to Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha, The Guardian and a post by Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty journalist Rikard Jozwiak.
"Usmanov and Fridman were placed on the sanctions lists because they are part of an aggressive Russian regime waging a war of conquest against Ukraine. What has changed? Nothing. Removing them from these lists is unacceptable and would send the wrong signal to Moscow at a time when pressure needs to be increased," Sybiha said.
He stressed that sanctions should instead be strengthened, the lists of sanctioned individuals expanded, and the duration of the measures extended from six to 12 months. According to the minister, this is necessary to prevent "more counterproductive ideas aimed at appeasing Russian oligarchs."
What is known about the EU ambassadors' meeting
Jozwiak said the meeting of European ambassadors is scheduled to begin at 6 p.m. and end at 8 p.m.
They will consider removing Usmanov and Fridman from the sanctions list and extending the restrictions for another 36 months.
France calls for Usmanov's removal
The Guardian reports that France surprised European countries by joining Slovakia earlier this month in submitting a petition to remove Usmanov from the sanctions list.
The French government wants him removed to facilitate the release of French citizens in Azerbaijan. The French ambassador told his EU counterparts that the government was seeking the Russian oligarch's removal from the list on national security grounds.
Azerbaijan had previously lobbied Western politicians for Usmanov's release, describing him as a "renowned philanthropist" who had built ties between the West, Central Asia and the broader Turkic world. This summer, the Slovak government began lobbying for the removal of two Russian oligarchs from the EU sanctions list.
On September 14, EU countries failed to agree in Brussels on extending sanctions against Russia. The lack of unanimity was due to disputes over restrictions on Usmanov and Fridman.
Andrii Budanov, head of the Office of the President of Ukraine, called on the EU not to ease the sanctions regime so that Russian oligarchs could not continue financing Russia's war machine.
