The UK will not lift sanctions against Usmanov and Friedman

This was reported by Bloomberg, citing informed sources.

According to them, Burnam made these private remarks during a meeting with Zelenskyy at the UN General Assembly in New York.

The British Prime Minister also told Zelenskyy that his country would not lift restrictions against these oligarchs and that Ukraine’s allies should continue to uphold their sanctions in order to put pressure on russia to end the war, the sources said.

Burnham’s office declined to comment. An official statement from the office regarding the meeting with Zelenskyy made no mention of the EU’s decision, but noted that the Prime Minister had spoken of “the need to continue to ramp up pressure on russia through sanctions” to force it to the negotiating table.

If Bernham did indeed criticise the EU’s decision, this would indicate a rare divergence between the positions of the UK and the bloc regarding sanctions against russia, which have largely coincided since the start of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

Recently, on 22 September, the Council of the EU removed the oligarchs Usmanov and Friedman from the sanctions list, but at the same time extended the restrictions on over 3,000 individuals and legal entities for a further 36 months – until 22 September 2029.

Both oligarchs had interests in Britain. Internationally, Usmanov is best known for his investment in the London football club Arsenal, from which he withdrew in 2018. Friedman moved to the British capital in 2013, but left the country following the imposition of sanctions against him.

Source: Bloomberg, LIGA.net