Ukraine offered the EU sanctions against two other oligarchs instead of Usmanov and Friedman
Ukraine calls on the European Union to impose sanctions against Russian billionaires Vladimir Lisin and Vladimir Potanin following the bloc's decision to remove Alisher Usmanov and Mikhail Fridman from the sanctions list.
This was announced by the Commissioner of the President of Ukraine for Sanctions Policy Vladyslav Vlasiuk in an interview with Politico.
According to Vlasiuk, Lisin and Potanin control large companies in the metallurgical and mining industries that are significant for the Russian economy. Lisin is linked to the NLMK metallurgical group, and Potanin to Nornickel, one of the world's largest producers of nickel and palladium.
Vlasiuk believes that including both businessmen in the next package of individual sanctions could significantly limit the ability of their companies to do business in the European Union.
"Everyone knows about these people, but they avoid any action against them. But now, perhaps, levers have appeared to move this issue forward", the Ukrainian representative said.
Politico notes that Lisin and Potanin have so far stayed out of the EU sanctions list, in part due to the significant presence of their businesses in Europe and the dependence of certain industries on their companies' products.
Lisin's NLMK has metallurgical assets in Belgium's Wallonia region, as well as production sites in France, Italy, and Denmark. According to Politico, the company's presence in Belgium was previously one of the reasons for Brussels' resistance to the possible inclusion of Lisin on the sanctions list.
In the case of Potanin, one of the key factors is the dependence of European industry, particularly the automotive sector, on Russian nickel and palladium. Nornickel is a major supplier of these metals to the global market.
A representative for Lisin, in a comment to Politico, rejected the arguments in favor of sanctions. He said that NLMK produces civilian products and does not cooperate with enterprises of the Russian military-industrial complex. Representatives of Potanin did not promptly respond to the publication's request.
Vlasiuk also linked the situation with Lisin and Potanin to the discussion around possible sanctions against the Irish company Aughinish Alumina, which supplies products to Russia. According to him, the imposition of such restrictions is often hindered by the position of one EU country, even if the majority of states support the sanctions.
On September 22, the EU Council extended individual sanctions for undermining the territorial integrity of Ukraine for another three years — until September 22, 2029. The restrictions cover more than 3,000 individuals and entities and provide for the freezing of assets, a ban on providing them with funds, and travel restrictions.
At the same time, the EU decided not to renew sanctions against three individuals and one company. According to Politico, those removed from the list include Usmanov and Fridman. The lifting of restrictions was the result of a compromise between EU countries after lengthy negotiations.
Sources: Politico, Politico, EU Council
