Ambassadors of the European Union's 27 member states reached a compromise on Russia-related sanctions on the 22nd. It removes Alisher Usmanov and Mikhail Fridman from the list while keeping sanctions on other Russian individuals and entities in place for another three years.

Both men were listed in February 2022, shortly after Russia's invasion of Ukraine, on suspicion of providing substantial benefits to the Kremlin. The measures have included asset freezes and entry bans.

France pushed for the removals, reportedly citing national security in the case of Usmanov, who was born in Uzbekistan. Latvia and other states with hard lines on Moscow objected, arguing that sanctions should instead be tightened.

An agreement had been attempted the previous day but was held up as Latvia maintained its objection to the last; the compromise passed once Latvia abstained. Ukraine is reported to have pushed back against the decision.

The Fatigue of Sanctions as a Tool

Sanctions grow more costly to maintain over time. Renewing a list requires the assent of every member state, and one country's interests can hold up a collective decision. Clearing the threshold by abstention, as happened here, shows how taut the unanimity structure has become.

Meanwhile, cases in which listed individuals contest their designation in court have accumulated. European judicial bodies have annulled designations in several instances for insufficient evidence. Political decisions and legal review move at different speeds.

Member states differ in how they describe the relationship between this agreement and discussions on ending the war in Ukraine. The European Commission stressed that the sanctions framework itself remains in place.