The Aporia
The Straits Times. (2026, September 22). Latvian PM opposes deal to lift sanctions on Russia-linked billionaires Usmanov and Fridman. The Straits Times. https://www.straitstimes.com/world/latvian-pm-opposes-deal-to-lift-sanctions-on-russia-linked-billionaires-usmanov-and-fridman
The Straits Times. “Latvian PM opposes deal to lift sanctions on Russia-linked billionaires Usmanov and Fridman.” The Straits Times, 22 Sept. 2026, https://www.straitstimes.com/world/latvian-pm-opposes-deal-to-lift-sanctions-on-russia-linked-billionaires-usmanov-and-fridman.
The Straits Times. “Latvian PM opposes deal to lift sanctions on Russia-linked billionaires Usmanov and Fridman.” The Straits Times, September 22, 2026. https://www.straitstimes.com/world/latvian-pm-opposes-deal-to-lift-sanctions-on-russia-linked-billionaires-usmanov-and-fridman.
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On September 22, Latvian Prime Minister Andris Kulbergs opposed a deal that would lift EU sanctions on Russian billionaires Alisher Usmanov and Mikhail Fridman, arguing it set an unacceptable precedent. The sanctions, imposed due to Russia's war in Ukraine, were originally scheduled to expire at midnight but could be renewed for three years if all 27 EU member countries agreed unanimously. France had previously pushed to remove Usmanov from the list citing national security concerns, and Luxembourg followed suit with Fridman. Despite initial resistance, Latvia eventually abstained from voting after a compromise was reached, allowing sanctions on nearly 3,000 other individuals and entities to be renewed for three years while lifting those on Usmanov and Fridman. This decision prompted outrage in Ukraine, whose foreign minister warned it sent the wrong message to Russia by dividing European unity.