Latvia’s prime minister has warned that removing individual names from the European Union’s Russia sanctions list could weaken the bloc’s approach to Moscow, even as Riga withdrew its objection to a wider agreement.
The dispute centred on the delisting of Russian businessmen Alisher Usmanov and Mikhail Fridman. EU member states agreed to extend the broader sanctions framework for 36 months, while lifting the asset freezes and travel bans applied to the two individuals since 2022.
Latvia accepts compromise but warns against a new sanctions playbook
Latvian Prime Minister Andris Kulbergs said Riga had maintained its objection until it became clear that blocking the compromise could put the entire sanctions package at risk. Latvia had supported extending the sanctions list but opposed removing the two businessmen as part of the deal.
“Cherry-picking” names from sanctions, he argued, could create a precedent in which political or diplomatic negotiations lead to individual exemptions. Kulbergs said this risked normalising relations with Russia at a time when the EU continues to use sanctions in response to Russia’s war against Ukraine.
He welcomed the decision to extend the sanctions framework for three years rather than continuing the previous six-month renewal cycle. That longer period is intended to provide greater stability and reduce the possibility of repeated political disputes over renewal.
Why were Usmanov and Fridman removed?
France led the push to remove Usmanov from the EU list, while Slovakia supported the delisting of Fridman. Luxembourg argued that the two cases should be treated consistently. Fridman has separately brought a claim against Luxembourg concerning frozen assets.
France linked its request to national-security considerations. The source report also described the delisting as connected to a prisoner release involving Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan, Usmanov’s country of origin. Paris has not publicly confirmed that account and has instead referred to national security.
The agreement means that the EU-level asset freezes and travel restrictions imposed on Usmanov and Fridman will be lifted. However, Latvia said it would maintain sanctions against both men under national measures. Ukraine has called on other EU member states to do the same.
What changed in the EU sanctions process?
The EU’s Russia sanctions regime includes almost 3,000 individuals, organisations and entities, including Russian President Vladimir Putin, according to the report. The list has traditionally been renewed every six months, giving member states regular opportunities to object.
The new 36-month extension does not eliminate the need for future decisions, but it reduces the frequency of renewal negotiations. For countries such as Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia, which favour sustained pressure on Moscow, the longer timeframe offers continuity while the individual delistings remain politically contentious.
- EU-level decision: the wider sanctions framework was extended for 36 months.
- Individual change: Usmanov and Fridman were removed from the EU list.
- National response: Latvia said it would retain sanctions against both individuals domestically.
- Political concern: Latvia warned that future exemptions could be sought through unrelated negotiations.
Latvia links sanctions concerns to eastern European security
The dispute also took place against a wider discussion about European security. Latvia is part of the EU’s eastern flank and has consistently supported a hard-line approach towards Russia.
Kulbergs said he had discussed the issue with French President Emmanuel Macron before withdrawing Latvia’s objection. He also indicated that France’s developing nuclear-cooperation initiative could be relevant to eastern European countries seeking stronger security assurances.
The initiative involves deeper cooperation, including joint exercises, while France would retain control of its nuclear arsenal and the final authority over its use. The United Kingdom, Germany, Poland, Sweden, the Netherlands, Belgium, Greece, Denmark and Norway have already signed up, according to the report. Latvia has not been identified as a participant.
What does the decision mean for Ireland?
Ireland is an EU member state, so the decision matters to Irish policymakers because EU sanctions are agreed and renewed through the bloc’s common foreign-policy framework. The immediate change is that the EU-level restrictions on Usmanov and Fridman are being lifted, although member states may choose to maintain national measures.
The 36-month extension may also provide more certainty for Irish businesses and financial institutions that must comply with EU sanctions rules. However, companies operating across several countries will need to monitor both EU measures and national restrictions, as member states may respond differently to the delistings.
Why the dispute matters for EU sanctions policy
The episode highlights the tension between maintaining unity and preserving a consistent sanctions policy. Member states must balance diplomatic or security considerations against concerns that exemptions could weaken the credibility of restrictions imposed after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
For Latvia, the central issue is not only whether particular individuals remain listed. It is whether future governments or negotiating partners might view sanctions removals as obtainable concessions. The three-year extension limits the immediate risk of another renewal crisis, but it does not resolve the broader question of how individual delisting requests should be assessed.
The current position is therefore a compromise: the wider EU sanctions regime has been extended, but two prominent names have been removed. Latvia has accepted the outcome while signalling that it does not want the process to become a model for future negotiations. The next test will be whether EU governments can apply clear, consistent criteria if further delisting requests emerge.
