Lithuania warns EU sanctions relief could signal weakness on Russia

Lithuania’s finance minister Taurimas Valys said that the EU should remain firm on sanctions against Russian oligarch Alisher Usmanov, rejecting France’s push to remove him from the blacklist. Valys argued that lifting restrictions now, while the war in Ukraine continues, would signal vulnerability to Russia and could fracture European support for Kyiv. France’s request is tied to a broader package that might free two French prisoners held in Azerbaijan, but French officials have not disclosed details.

While most EU members share Vilnius’ stance, the Irish presidency has floated a compromise to delist both Usmanov and Mikhail Fridman in return for a three-year renewal of the sanctions regime. Diplomats in Brussels are considering the proposal as one outlet short-term extension, recently extended by seven days, nears its expiry, and Ukraine’s president has condemned any delisting as unacceptable.