The European Union announced the removal of several Russian businessmen from its sanctions roster, a step that Kyiv says sends the wrong signal to Moscow.
Who were the individuals removed?
The EU lifted sanctions on Alisher Usmanov and Mikhail Fridman, both identified as having close ties to Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Why did the EU decide to delist them?
EU officials said the decision reflected a review of each case and the need to align measures with current geopolitical realities, though they did not detail specific criteria.
How has Ukraine reacted?
Ukrainian officials expressed anger, arguing that the move undermines sanctions pressure on Russia and could embolden Moscow.
What impact could the delisting have on Russia?
Analysts note that removing high‑profile oligarchs may ease financial constraints for those individuals and could be interpreted by Russia as a softening of Western resolve.
Will the EU reconsider its stance?
The EU indicated that sanctions are regularly reviewed and may be adjusted if circumstances change, but no timeline was provided.
The decision highlights ongoing tensions between Western policy coordination and Ukrainian security concerns as the conflict continues.