EU Maintains Sanctions on Russia for Additional 36 Months
The EU Council has decided to extend restrictive measures against individuals undermining Ukraine's territorial integrity for another 36 months. The updated sanctions list now includes over 3,000 individuals and entities, but notably excludes two Russian oligarchs: Mikhail Friedman and Alisher Usmanov. This change has sparked mixed reactions, particularly from Ukrainian officials.
Details of the Restrictive Measures
The sanctions in place, which have been renewed, consist of:
- Travel bans;
- Asset freezes;
- Prohibitions on providing funds or economic resources to sanctioned persons and organizations.
During this review, the Council also chose not to renew the inclusion of three individuals and one organization, and removed three deceased persons from the list.
Previously, these sanctions were set to expire after six months; the new extension lengthens their effect to 36 months. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has urged global partners to continue intensifying sanctions against Russian businesses to ensure they bear the consequences of the conflict and pressure Moscow to cease hostilities.
Ukraine's Foreign Minister, Andriy Sybiha, condemned the EU's decision to delist Usmanov and Friedman, calling it disgraceful and unjustified.
This decision by the EU has raised concerns in Ukraine, which hopes for stronger actions against those it holds accountable for aggression against its sovereignty. The extension of sanctions underscores the EU's commitment to supporting Ukraine amid ongoing conflict. However, the removal of Friedman and Usmanov is viewed by Ukrainian officials as a potential weakening of pressure on Russian economic interests.
For Ukraine, it remains critical that international allies continue to employ sanctions as a vital tool to deter further aggression and influence Russian leadership toward ending the war.