Latvia opposes EU delisting of Russian oligarchs Usmanov and Fridman but backs broader sanctions renewal
The EU voted to remove Alisher Usmanov and Mikhail Fridman from its sanctions list while extending sanctions on roughly 3,000 other Russia‑linked individuals and entities for three years. Latvia said the delisting risked normalising ties with Moscow and could not support the compromise, calling an emergency cabinet meeting. Despite its objections, Latvia ultimately abstained in the EU vote, allowing the broader sanctions regime to be renewed. Lithuania, Estonia and Ukraine praised their own national sanctions on the two businessmen, urging other members to follow suit.
How this was covered
- Right-leaning outlets covered this 45h later
Why it matters
The episode highlights divisions within the EU over how to pressure Russia and protect Ukraine, affecting future sanctions policy.
How the sides frame it
MODERATE AGREEMENTLeft-leaning coverage emphasizes Latvia’s principled opposition and the danger to the whole sanctions regime, center coverage reports the compromise and Latvia’s dissent in neutral terms, while right-leaning coverage highlights criticism of France’s push, Ukraine’s anger and frames the deal as sending the wrong message.
LEFT
Latvia’s stand is presented as a necessary defence of the sanctions regime against weakening for just two names.
CENTER
The story is presented as a factual account of the EU compromise, the delisting of two oligarchs, and Latvia’s initial opposition.
RIGHT
The deal is portrayed as controversial, with criticism of France’s advocacy and Ukraine’s condemnation, suggesting the move undermines EU credibility.
The left emphasises
- Latvia would not back a deal to exempt Usmanov and Fridman, arguing sanctions should not be traded for two names.
- Latvia was the sole member state still opposing the compromise.
- Failure to agree could endanger the entire sanctions list, not just the two individuals.
The right emphasises
- France’s push to lift sanctions is described as sending the wrong message and damaging credibility.
- Ukraine slammed the move as shameful and unjustifiable.
- Estonia urged France to justify its advocacy for removing the oligarchs.
How this story developed
- Sep 1 Russia multiplies jet-powered Shahed drone strikes fivefold in one month
- Sep 15 EU Coreper authorized a week‑long postponement of the sanctions expiry.
- Sep 17 The European Commission will disburse €3.3 billion to Ukraine for missile and drone purchases, announced by Ursula von der Leyen following a call with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
- Sep 18 President Volodymyr Zelensky opened the first Carpathian Eight summit in western Ukraine while Russian overnight attacks killed two and injured two elsewhere.
- Sep 18 Negotiations remain deadlocked as frugal states and cohesion allies continue to clash over budget priorities.
- Sep 18 A business forum at the summit aims to finalize investment and trade agreements worth roughly €1 billion.
- Sep 20 In the early hours of Friday, Russia's anti-aircraft units reported destroying 35 Ukrainian drones heading for the capital. Local authorities said a comparable wave of drones was also intercepted in the Toula district south of Moscow. The incidents occurred as Russia began a three-day parliamentary and local election cycle. No casualties were reported from the interceptions.
- Sep 20 Zelensky said a major Russian oil refinery, a logistics structure and the Voronezh region were hit in the massive attack.
- Sep 20 Officials reported that 249 unmanned aircraft were intercepted in the latest wave of attacks.
- Sep 21 Russia's defence ministry said it will increase the frequency and precision of its strikes on Kyiv.
- Sep 22 EU announced a €3.3 billion release for Ukrainian missile and drone purchases.
- Sep 22 Latvia announced it will not back the proposal to delist Usmanov and Fridman, prompting an emergency cabinet meeting.
- Sep 23 Hungary’s chargé d’affaires attended the summit but Budapest did not sign the declaration.
- Sep 23 Latvia ultimately abstained in the EU vote, enabling renewal of the wider sanctions package while accepting the delisting of Usmanov and Fridman.
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