The EU extended sanctions against the Russian Federation for 3 years, but excluded two Russian oligarchs, - Reuters

UNIAN, photo – REUTERS, UNIAN/Viktor Kovalychuk The representatives of the European Union agreed to extend for three years the sanctions against Russia, which apply to 3 000 individuals and legal entities. However, the sanctions list was narrowed by excluding two Russian oligarchs, Reuters reports citing European diplomats.

It is noted that EU representatives agreed to remove Russian billionaires Alisher Usmanov and Mikhail Fridman from the sanctions list in exchange for extending the sanctions for three years. Latvia had opposed this decision until the end.

The agency recalled that unanimous support is required to extend the sanctions. Previously they were extended every six months.

Why France and Luxembourg sought the oligarchs’ exclusion from the sanctions list

Earlier it became known that France is seeking from other European Union member states to exclude Uzbek-Russian oligarch Alisher Usmanov from the sanctions list.

Later, three European diplomats told Reuters that Paris is urging the EU to lift sanctions on Usmanov due to pressure from Azerbaijan, which holds two French citizens. The magnate of the mining-metallurgical sector initiated a number of court proceedings in Europe to obtain the removal of sanctions, and his lawyers challenged media statements that became the basis for the restrictive measures.

The Financial Times reported that Luxembourg demanded the exclusion of Russian banker Mikhail Fridman from the list. Previously the oligarch filed an arbitral claim against Luxembourg for 15,8 billion dollars.