Sybiga criticized the EU's decision to lift sanctions on Russian oligarchs

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiga criticized the European Union's decision to remove Russian businessmen Alisher Usmanov and Mikhail Fridman from the sanctions list.

"This is a shameful and unjustified decision," — said the head of the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry on social network X after a compromise was reached between EU countries.

Sybiga stressed that Ukraine has consistently opposed lifting restrictions on Usmanov and Fridman. According to him, the reasons why both businessmen were initially sanctioned have not disappeared, so Kyiv considers easing pressure on them a wrong signal.

Just the day before, the minister noted that Usmanov and Fridman were included in the sanctions list because of their ties to the Russian system of power during the war against Ukraine. At that time, Sybiga called not to reduce, but to expand personal sanctions lists and increase the duration of restrictions.

On September 22, European Union countries agreed to extend personal sanctions against individuals and legal entities associated with Russia. Instead of review every six months, the regime is to operate for three years, but as part of a compromise, Usmanov and Fridman were removed from the list.

According to Le Monde, the removal of Usmanov was sought by France, and Fridman by Luxembourg. The decision raised objections from a number of EU countries and Ukraine. Latvia initially blocked the compromise because it opposed lifting restrictions on the two businessmen.

EU personal sanctions provide for the freezing of assets, a ban on providing funds and economic resources, and for individuals also restrictions on entry and transit through the territory of the European Union.

Based on materials from: Andriy Sybiga, Le Monde, Council of the EU