UK Prime Minister Maintains Sanctions on Usmanov and Fridman

The British Prime Minister has confirmed that sanctions against Russian oligarchs Alisher Usmanov and Mikhail Fridman will remain in force. The announcement came amid ongoing debates in the UK about the effectiveness and scope of sanctions imposed following Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

Decision to Maintain Restrictions

The Prime Minister rejected calls from some quarters to ease sanctions on the Russian businessmen, who have contested the restrictions through legal channels. The government's position is that sanctions remain an essential tool in responding to Russia's actions.

Background

Usmanov and Fridman were sanctioned following Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Both men have challenged their inclusion on UK and EU sanctions lists, but courts have largely upheld the restrictions.