Weakening EU Sanctions Plays Into Russia’s Hands, Top Ukrainian Official Warns

Vsevolod Chentsov, Ukraine’s Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration, warned that granting sanction exemptions to prominent figures such as Alisher Usmanov and Mikhail Fridman sends a dangerous signal.

Writing on X on September 21, Chentsov noted that any reported compromise reached in Brussels regarding the extension of individual EU sanctions must not pave the way for political exemptions.

"At a time when Russia is escalating its terror against Ukraine and showing no interest in constructive peace talks, any exceptions for figures like Alisher Usmanov and Mikhail Fridman send a dangerous signal. Weakening or politicizing sanctions now undermines the authority of the EU and plays into Russia's hands. Europe must demonstrate strength and unity. The EU must not back down while Russia escalates," Chentsov stated.

He added that Ukraine will continue to work alongside its European partners to ensure that sanctions remain reliable, effective, and enforceable.

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The United States had also recently agreed to lift sanctions on two major Belarusian state-owned enterprises—paint manufacturer OJSC Lakokraska and timber conglomerate Bellesbumprom—in exchange for Minsk releasing 25 prisoners.

Negotiated by US Special Envoy John Coale, the interim agreement came as Belarusian authorities continued internal repression, with nearly 1,000 political prisoners remaining behind bars and over 400 individuals convicted since 2022 for supporting Ukraine.

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