EU to Extend Russia Sanctions After Latvia Drops Opposition to Oligarch Delistings

The EU has agreed to extend its Russian sanctions after Latvia dropped its opposition to the new version that would delist two Russian oligarchs.Reuters reported Tuesday afternoon that Latvia dropped its veto, hours before the current sanctions expire on Tuesday night.JOIN US ON TELEGRAMFollow our coverage of the war on the @Kyivpost_official.The latest extension has faced heated debate and lengthy delays as France and Slovakia pushed to exclude Russian billionaires Alisher Usmanov and Mikhail Fridman.France joined Slovakia in calling for Usmanov’s delisting, citing national security concerns, with media reports suggesting Paris is concerned about two French nationals held by Azerbaijan, which allegedly pressured Paris over the decision. A senior Baku official denied the claim.Meanwhile, Luxembourg is said to have pushed for Fridman’s delisting over the latter’s ongoing $16 billion arbitration claim against the country.The sanctions, imposed since 2022, were temporarily extended for a week on Sept. 14 when negotiations reached a deadlock, with EU officials ultimately agreeing to delist Usmanov and Fridman in exchange for a longer, three-year extension.But on Tuesday morning, Latvia vetoed the version and pushed to keep Usmanov and Fridman on the list. Latvia’s latest abstention would pave the way for the package to be officialized once a process known as a written procedure is drawn up, according to Reuters. Kyiv Post is Ukraine’s first and oldest English news organization, reporting since 1995. Its international reach – 97% of readers are outside of Ukraine – make it truly Ukraine’s global voice.