The 27 European Union countries have approved the six-month renewal of individual sanctions against Russia through the written procedure , thus overcoming the veto of Budapest which had asked to remove some names.
In total, four individuals were removed, three of whom were requested by Hungary. The names crossed out, as far as we know, are those of Vladimir Rashevsky (businessman), Gulbakhor Ismailova (sister of businessman Alisher Usmanov), Moshe Kantor (fertilizer magnate) and the Russian sports minister Mikhail Degtyarev.
Under the measure, the individual EU sanctions, adopted after the beginning of the conflict in Ukraine and which target people and entities considered influential or close to Vladimir Putin and the top levels of the Russian government and establishment, will be extended until 15 September 2025.
"The EU is increasing pressure on Russia. We are extending our sanctions to around 2,400 individuals and entities for Russia's ongoing aggression against Ukraine, including: Travel bans - Asset freezes - Funding/resource bans. Our determination to support Ukraine is decisive," wrote European Commission President Ursula Von der Leyen on social media.
(Unioneonline/lf)
