Earlier, Reuters reported, citing diplomats, that representatives of EU countries reached a preliminary agreement to exclude Usmanov and Friedman from the sanctions list. The decision was to come into effect if no EU country raised objections within the allotted time. Now such an objection has come from Latvia. Thus, the agreement on lifting sanctions on the two billionaires is currently suspended. According to Reuters, the exclusion of Usmanov and Friedman from the sanctions list was seen as part of a broader agreement that would allow for the extension of restrictions on approximately 3,000 individuals and entities linked to Russia for a full three years. Previously, personal sanctions typically required renewal every six months. Before Latvia's objection, the procedure was at its final stage. As LSM previously explained, after reaching a preliminary agreement, the so-called "silence procedure" was initiated: the text of the decision is sent to all EU states, and it is considered agreed upon if no objections are raised by the deadline. The Latvian Ministry of Foreign Affairs previously emphasized that a final decision has not yet been made. The press secretary of the Ministry, Liga Ermačāne, stated that the process is ongoing and the situation may still change, so the ministry does not intend to disclose Latvia's position "until the last moment." ### Why the EU Planned to Lift Sanctions In early September, France joined Slovakia in demanding the exclusion of Usmanov from the sanctions list. According to Reuters, Paris was pursuing this amid tensions in relations with Azerbaijan and the situation concerning French citizens there. Azerbaijan, however, denied lobbying for the lifting of sanctions against Usmanov. Later, Luxembourg demanded the lifting of sanctions on Mikhail Friedman. As a result, the exclusion of the two billionaires became part of a compromise surrounding the extension of the entire large sanctions list. Thus, **the decision to lift sanctions on Usmanov and Friedman has not yet been finalized**. After Latvia's objection, negotiations among EU countries continue. Reuters reports that representatives of EU states are to discuss this issue again in an attempt to reach an agreement.