Tashkent – AN Podrobno.uz. The Council of the European Union has removed Uzbekistan-born billionaire Alisher Usmanov from its sanctions list, which was formed in connection with the military conflict in Ukraine. The corresponding decision was published in the official journal of the EU. Usmanov was born in 1953 in Chust, in what is now Uzbekistan. He had been under EU sanctions since February 2022. The restrictions included freezing assets in the European Union and a ban on entry.

In its justification for the sanctions, the EU had previously pointed to his business interests in key sectors of the Russian economy and ties to Russian authorities. This step marks a notable shift in the EU's sanctions policy imposed over the conflict in Ukraine. However, EU officials do not view this decision as a weakening of the overall sanctions regime.

Along with Usmanov, Russian billionaire Mikhail Fridman was also removed from the list. In addition, restrictions were lifted from Andrey Falaleev and the company Redbird Corporate Services Ltd. Nevertheless, the sanctions regime against other individuals and legal entities remains in place. This decision may be part of the EU's regular review of its sanctions lists.

The removal of Usmanov from the sanctions may positively affect his international business operations, but it is unlikely to lead to abrupt changes in relations with the EU. The continuation of restrictions against others demonstrates the EU's unchanged position on the situation in Ukraine. This decision vividly illustrates the complexity and conflict of interests in international sanctions policy.

Source: podrobno.uz