Ukraine to EU: 'You dropped two Russian oligarchs, we propose adding 20 more'
Photo: Ukrainian Minister of Foreign Affairs Andrii Sybiha (x.com/andrii_sybiha)
The EU has lifted sanctions against Russian oligarchs Alisher Usmanov and Mikhail Fridman. However, Ukraine is working to reinstate these individuals on the lists, among other measures, states Ukrainian Minister of Foreign Affairs Andrii Sybiha during a press briefing.
Sanctions against Fridman and Usmanov
Sybiha noted that Ukraine continues its efforts regarding sanctions against Russia.
"The work is ongoing, which is crucial... The situation regarding the removal of two Russian oligarchs is outrageous. We fought until the very end, both publicly and behind closed scenes, to prevent this from happening," the minister said.
Sybiha promised an asymmetric response from Ukraine to the lifting of sanctions against the Russian billionaires.
"You removed two oligarchs, so we will add twenty more. We have prepared a list of over twenty Russian oligarchs. We will also continue our efforts to reinstate those two. This is our approach now, and we are currently at the stage of formalization," he clarified.
According to the minister, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has already approved the list of over 20 individuals.
"Additionally, we are working at the national level to ensure that Usmanov and Fridman remain sanctioned within national jurisdictions," he said.
Sybiha noted that Canada has confirmed to Ukraine that it will not remove Usmanov and Fridman from its sanctions list.
"We have the support of the UK, Japan, and Australia. We will also pursue the sanctioning of these two individuals in all other jurisdictions," the senior official assured.
Ukraine is prepared for an energy and agricultural truce in the Black Sea, Sybiha noted. It is also considering an unconditional ceasefire along the line of contact.
Furthermore, Sybiha stated that Ukraine requires a minimum of 300 interceptor missiles for Patriot air defense systems.
