Latvia warns EU sanctions talks risk normalising Russia after oligarch delisting

Latvia’s prime minister, Andris Kulbergs, voiced strong objections to the EU’s move to delist two Russian oligarchs, Alisher Usmanov and Mikhail Fridman, arguing that such actions risk normalising ties with Moscow. Although Latvia had fiercely resisted the delisting, it ultimately acquiesced to prevent the entire sanctions renewal, which covers roughly 2,600 targets, from collapsing. Kulbergs warned that the episode creates a concerning playbook for future sanctions decisions.

The broader debate involved France and Slovakia lobbying for the removals as part of a prisoner-exchange deal with Azerbaijan. The sanctions renewal deadline passed shortly after Latvia’s reluctant concession.