The Baltic states and Poland are calling for the expansion of EU sanctions to include the associates and family members of Russian oligarchs. This proposal is facing opposition from Hungary,
which argues that it is not part of the current sanctions package. The EU has already imposed sanctions on over 1,400 people in response to Russia's activities in Ukraine, many of whom are Russian oligarchs. However, the proposed expansion would make it possible to target thousands more individuals who are benefitting from or associated with oligarchs, without having to prove their direct involvement in the conflict or connection to the Russian state.
The proposal seeks to freeze the assets and impose visa bans on oligarchs' immediate family members and other natural persons benefitting from them. This could include individuals like Lyudmila Ocheretnaya, the ex-wife of Russian President Vladimir Putin, whose daughters have already been sanctioned but not herself, as well as other members of oligarchs' entourages. While some EU member states expressed doubts, legal experts are supportive of the proposal.
However, Hungary has resisted such plans, arguing that they are not part of the current sanctions package. Hungary has also reportedly requested the removal of four individuals from the existing sanctions list, which has ignited tensions and will likely be subject to further debate during a meeting of EU ambassadors. Despite this opposition, Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia and Poland continue to push for the expansion of sanctions to include oligarchs' associates and family members.
The proposal comes as the EU prepares to impose a new round of sanctions against Russia, with draft documents suggesting that an additional 96 people could be added to the sanctions list. The EU's response to Russia's actions in Ukraine has been a major point of contention between member states, with some calling for tougher sanctions and others pushing for a more conciliatory approach. The expansion of sanctions to target oligarchs' associates and family members is likely to be a topic of debate for some time to come. Photo by Pavel Kazachkov from Moscow, Russia, Wikimedia commons.