EU's removal of two Russian billionaires from sanctions list draws criticism
The EU's move to drop two Russian billionaires from its sanctions list, as part of a wider deal on new Russia sanctions, has drawn criticism from some member states and a counter-proposal from Ukraine, while the billionaire at the center reportedly did not expect the reprieve.
What happened
The European Union lifted sanctions on two Russian billionaires, named by Ukrainska Pravda as Alisher Usmanov and Mikhail Fridman, as part of a deal reaching agreement on a new Russia sanctions list.123
Ukraine responded by proposing that the EU instead sanction other Russian billionaires, Vladimir Lisin and Vladimir Potanin.1
Some EU member states criticized the delisting, saying it undermined support for Ukraine's war effort and signaled the bloc would bow to blackmail.2
A Bloomberg source said Mikhail Fridman was surprised by the EU's decision to lift sanctions against him.4
What's agreed
Reported consistently by outlets in more than one region.
Where accounts differ
Each account is attributed to who makes it. We do not judge between them.
What the removal of Usmanov and Fridman signifies
Some EU member states, via The Straits Times
The delisting undermines support for Ukraine's war effort and signals the EU would bow to blackmail.2
EU diplomats and negotiators, per Politico Europe
The delisting is presented as a compromise that was necessary to secure agreement on a new, broader Russia sanctions list.3
How it's framed
What each perspective puts first, based on headlines and summaries.
| Perspective | How it reads | What it puts first |
|---|---|---|
| Ukrainian outlet reporting on Ukraine's diplomatic responseEurope | Focuses on Ukraine's proposal to substitute other oligarchs (Lisin, Potanin) onto the sanctions list in response to the delisting.1 | Ukraine's counter-proposal, alternative sanctions targets |
| Singapore-based outlet reporting from BrusselsSoutheast Asia | Emphasizes internal EU political backlash, framing the delisting as controversial and potentially damaging to unity on Ukraine.2 | backlash, undermined support, bow to blackmail |
| EU affairs outlet analysisEurope | Frames the delisting as the price of compromise needed to finalize a broader sanctions package, alongside discussion of unrelated national controversies.3 | compromise, deal-making, sanctions list finalized |
| Independent Russian-language outletEurope | Highlights Fridman's own reported reaction of surprise at being delisted, citing a Bloomberg source.4 | billionaire's reaction, surprise |
What the coverage leaves out
- None of the outlets reviewed detail the EU's official stated justification for removing Usmanov and Fridman from the sanctions list.
- None of the outlets reviewed report which specific EU member states voiced the criticism described by The Straits Times.
- None of the outlets reviewed report the EU's response to Ukraine's counter-proposal to sanction Lisin and Potanin.
- None of the outlets reviewed provide detail on the 'revelations about France' referenced in the Politico Europe snippet.
Why it matters
Sources (4)
Every outlet we drew on, grouped by where it is based. Read the originals for the full reporting.
Europe
- 1Ukrainska PravdaUAPrivate
- 3Politico EuropeBEPrivate
- 4MeduzaLVIndependent
Bloomberg: EU sanctions relief ‘surprises’ Russian billionaire Mikhail Fridman
Southeast Asia
- 2The Straits TimesSGPrivate
EU faces backlash after lifting sanctions on Russian billionaires