{"id":2159831,"date":"2026-09-22T18:20:32","date_gmt":"2026-09-22T15:20:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=2159831"},"modified":"2026-09-22T18:20:32","modified_gmt":"2026-09-22T15:20:32","slug":"cherry-picking-sanctions-risks-normalising-russia-latvian-pm-says-amid-usmanov-row","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=2159831","title":{"rendered":"&#8216;Cherry-picking sanctions&#8217; risks &#8216;normalising&#8217; Russia, Latvian PM says amid Usmanov row"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/92\/37\/86\/1200x675_cmsv2_00907f22-07c9-50cf-8d0b-d752e4cc4326-9923786.jpg&#8221;]<\/p>\n<article id=\"abe-2928178-pos1-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-1 m-modeDesktop-1 m-modeXL-1\" data-nid=\"2928178\" data-cid=\"9925473\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2928178-label-pos1-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/92\/54\/73\/189x106_cmsv2_662447ac-a1d8-5c67-b5e6-f0f4c06840cc-9925473.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Ukraine&apos;s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy speaks during the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly at United Nations headquarters. 23 September 2026\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Europe News<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Zelenskyy calls for continued pressure on Russia at UNGA\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2928056-pos2-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-1 m-modeDesktop-1 m-modeXL-1\" data-nid=\"2928056\" data-cid=\"9925190\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2928056-label-pos2-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/92\/49\/09\/189x106_cmsv2_40ac2e97-a60f-5304-9b4f-dc00e1190b72-9924909.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Maricarmen, who is 87-years-old. Pictured speaking to media on the street. \" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Europe News<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Spain: Protests after 87-year-old woman evicted from home by force\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2928092-pos3-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-1 m-modeDesktop-1 m-modeXL-1\" data-nid=\"2928092\" data-cid=\"9925305\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2928092-label-pos3-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/92\/50\/36\/189x106_cmsv2_8b84ca08-5d39-5697-82ec-76181e56a81c-9925036.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Pope Leo XIV will be visiting France from 25 to 28 September.\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Europe News<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Day devoted to the Pope in French Catholic schools sparks controversy\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2927986-pos4-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-1 m-modeDesktop-1 m-modeXL-1 the-media-object--has-video\" data-nid=\"2927986\" data-cid=\"9924617\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2927986-label-pos4-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/92\/46\/17\/189x106_cmsv2_a0864b7d-4484-547d-a208-7d8e0954a403-9924617.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"The Ring in Athens\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    The Ring<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Who can afford to live in Greece? The Ring in Athens\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2928178-pos1-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2\" data-nid=\"2928178\" data-cid=\"9925473\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2928178-label-pos1-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/92\/54\/73\/189x106_cmsv2_662447ac-a1d8-5c67-b5e6-f0f4c06840cc-9925473.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Ukraine&apos;s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy speaks during the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly at United Nations headquarters. 23 September 2026\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Europe News<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Zelenskyy calls for continued pressure on Russia at UNGA\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2928056-pos2-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2\" data-nid=\"2928056\" data-cid=\"9925190\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2928056-label-pos2-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/92\/49\/09\/189x106_cmsv2_40ac2e97-a60f-5304-9b4f-dc00e1190b72-9924909.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Maricarmen, who is 87-years-old. Pictured speaking to media on the street. \" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Europe News<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Spain: Protests after 87-year-old woman evicted from home by force\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2928092-pos3-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2\" data-nid=\"2928092\" data-cid=\"9925305\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2928092-label-pos3-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/92\/50\/36\/189x106_cmsv2_8b84ca08-5d39-5697-82ec-76181e56a81c-9925036.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Pope Leo XIV will be visiting France from 25 to 28 September.\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Europe News<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Day devoted to the Pope in French Catholic schools sparks controversy\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2927986-pos4-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--has-video\" data-nid=\"2927986\" data-cid=\"9924617\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2927986-label-pos4-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/92\/46\/17\/189x106_cmsv2_a0864b7d-4484-547d-a208-7d8e0954a403-9924617.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"The Ring in Athens\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    The Ring<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Who can afford to live in Greece? The Ring in Athens\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article class=\"helper-site-row o-article-newsy\">\n<div class=\"helper-site-container o-article-newsy__container\">\n<div class=\"o-article-newsy__main\">\n<header class=\"h-grid o-article-newsy__main__header\">\n<nav aria-label=\"Breadcrumbs\" class=\"c-article-breadcrumbs\">\n<div id=\"adb-article-breadcrumb\" class=\"c-article-breadcrumbs__list\">\n<p>                          Europe<\/p>\n<p>                          Europe News<\/p>\n<p>                          Europe Today<\/p><\/div>\n<\/nav>\n<h1 class=\"c-article-redesign-title\">\n                            &#8216;Cherry-picking sanctions&#8217; risks &#8216;normalising&#8217; Russia, Latvian PM says amid Usmanov row<\/h1>\n<div class=\"c-article-image-video u-position-relative \">\n<div class=\"js-superdiv u-aspect-ratio-16x9 u-position-relative \" data-controller=\"video-player\" data-sponsored=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"js-playercontrols u-height-full u-position-absolute u-width-full is-autoplaying\" data-translations=\"{&quot;error&quot;:&quot;This video could not be played.&quot;,&quot;geoblocked&quot;:&quot;Sorry, this content is not available in your country&quot;,&quot;slow&quot;:&quot;This is taking longer than usual&quot;}\">\n<div class=\"js-loadtrigger js-loadtrigger__button c-loadtrigger__button\" role=\"status\"><span class=\"js-loadtrigger__label c-loadtrigger__label u-visually-hidden\">Loading the video<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"js-poster-img c-article-media__img\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/92\/37\/86\/1536x864_cmsv2_00907f22-07c9-50cf-8d0b-d752e4cc4326-9923786.jpg\" width=\"1536\" height=\"864\" loading=\"eager\" alt=\"Latvia&apos;s Prime Minister Andris Kulbergs at NATO headquarters in Brussels, 17 June 2026.\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-caption u-position-absolute\"><i id=\"article-caption-content\" class=\"c-article-caption__content\"><span class=\"c-article-caption__text\"><br \/>\n              Latvia&#8217;s Prime Minister Andris Kulbergs at NATO headquarters in Brussels, 17 June 2026.<br \/>\n                    <span class=\"u-color-white\">&#8211;\u00a0<\/span><span class=\"c-article-caption__copyright\">Copyright\u00a0<\/span><span class=\"c-article-caption__credit\">AP<\/span><\/span><\/i><\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-image-copyright c-article-image-copyright--novideo\">\n      Copyright\u00a0AP\n  <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/header>\n<div class=\"h-grid o-article-newsy__main__body u-article-content\">\n<div class=\"o-article-newsy__contributors-publication-date\">\n<div class=\"c-article-contributors\">\n  By&amp;nbspAngela Skujins&amp;nbsp&amp;&amp;nbspJorge Liboreiro\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-publication-date\" data-timestamp=\"1790101232\">\n                    Published on                 <time datetime=\"2026-09-22 20:20:32 +02:00\">22\/09\/2026 &#8211; 20:20 GMT+2<\/time><span class=\"c-article-publication-date__bullet\">\u2022<\/span>Updated<br \/>\n                                     <time datetime=\"2026-09-23 16:08:03 +02:00\">23\/09\/2026 &#8211; 16:08 GMT+2<\/time><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-share-comment u-align-items-center u-display-flex\"><span class=\"c-article-share-comment__links u-align-items-center u-display-flex u-justify-content-center js-c-article-share-comment-share\"><span class=\"c-article-share-comment__label\">Share<\/span><\/span><span class=\"c-article-share-comment__label\">Comments<\/span><span class=\"c-article-share-comment__label c-article-share-comment__label--always\">Add Euronews on Google<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-share-comment-popup-overlay js-c-article-share-comment-popup-overlay u-display-none\">\n<div id=\"js-c-article-share-comment-popup\" class=\"c-article-share-comment-popup js-c-article-share-comment-popup\">\n<div class=\"c-article-share-comment-popup__header 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src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/icon-copy-to-clipboard.svg\" width=\"16\" height=\"16\" alt=\"Copy to clipboard\" class=\"u-cursor-pointer js-c-article-share-comment-copy\" loading=\"lazy\"><span class=\"c-article-share-comment-popup__content__embed--success-copied u-display-none js-c-article-share-comment-video-embed-success-link-copied\"><br \/>\n                                Copied<br \/>\n                            <\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<h2 class=\"c-article-summary\">\n        Latvian Prime Minister Andris Kulbergs spoke exclusively to Euronews about his last-minute change in tune over a sanctions saga that has gripped Brussels, while also warning of remaining dangers.<br \/>\n    <\/h2>\n<div class=\"c-article-content js-article-content\">\n<p>Latvian Prime Minister Andris Kulbergs said his country \u201cstood to the end\u201d to prevent two Russian oligarchs from being delisted from a sanctions package but concluded alongside Ukraine it was best to compromise for a salvo.<\/p>\n<div>\n<div class=\"c-ad u-show-for-mobile-only\">\n<div class=\"c-ad__placeholder\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"c-ad__placeholder__logo\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/logos\/logo-euronews-stacked-outlined-72x72-grey-9.svg\" width=\"72\" height=\"72\" alt loading=\"lazy\"><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-ad u-show-for-desktop\">\n<div class=\"c-ad__placeholder\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"c-ad__placeholder__logo\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/logos\/logo-euronews-stacked-outlined-72x72-grey-9.svg\" width=\"72\" height=\"72\" alt loading=\"lazy\"><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>But he warned that the exemption should be a one-off occurrence and not be par for the course when debating EU sanctions in the future. <\/p>\n<p>\u201cEither it is sports, what we&#8217;ve seen, either culture, and now one by one cherry-picking out of sanctions, that is not the way to go,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThat is normalising Russia.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>After two weeks of drawn-out talks among EU ambassadors, France succeeded in its push on Tuesday to remove Alisher Usmanov from the sanctions list as part of a prisoner release with Azerbaijan brokered by Uzbekistan, Usmanov&#8217;s home country.<\/p>\n<p>A second high-profile businessman, Mikhail Fridman, was also removed after Slovakia called for his delisting. <\/p>\n<p>Luxembourg, meanwhile, had argued that if Usmanov was removed, Fridman should be too. Fridman has filed a $16 billion claim against Luxembourg over his frozen assets.<\/p>\n<p>The asset freeze and travel ban in place since 2022 will be lifted as a result.<\/p>\n<p>Kulbergs was the main objector to a proposed compromise. After it was tabled on Monday, he took to social media to present his red lines, making it clear that while Latvia supported extending the blacklist for 36 months, it did not back removing the two names from the list as part of the deal.<\/p>\n<p>Until now, the bloc had rolled over its sanctions every six months, creating constant opportunities for countries to veto and extract concessions. The three-year extension is meant to offset the political pain of delisting the two high-profile businessmen.<\/p>\n<p>The sanctions list currently includes nearly 3,000 names, organisations and entities accused of supporting Russia&#8217;s war in Ukraine, including Russian President Vladimir Putin.<\/p>\n<p>Kulbergs told Euronews that he dropped his opposition because &#8220;we all understood it is not worth risking&#8221; the whole EU sanctions package. <\/p>\n<p>Asked what legacy the episode would leave behind for future negotiations regarding EU sanctions policy, Kulbergs said that it was not a good one, though he welcomed the 36-month timeframe.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI\u2019m worried about the playbook which it leaves,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI don&#8217;t think this is a very good example, because that gives a message. \u2018Oh, we arrest some politicians somewhere, and then we can ask for a sanctions package.\u2019 This is not a good playbook, and that&#8217;s exactly why we froze it for 36 months. That\u2019s it. No discussion.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Latvia, together with fellow Baltic states Lithuania and Estonia, has long advocated a strategy of maximum pressure on Russia. The country is heading to the polls for a parliamentary election next month.<\/p>\n<p>Before lifting Latvia&#8217;s objection, Kulbergs spoke with French President Emmanuel Macron, whose country led the push to remove Usmanov from the sanctions.<\/p>\n<p>Paris has not yet acknowledged the prisoner release with Azerbaijan and instead cited a &#8220;national security&#8221; reason to justify its controversial request.<\/p>\n<p>Kulbergs said: &#8220;I cannot communicate and I cannot know the reasons behind the national security aspects of each of those countries&#8217; positions.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>He added, however, that the vulnerability of Europe&#8217;s eastern flank, which includes Latvia, puts it in good stead to potentially join France&#8217;s nuclear deterrance programme. <\/p>\n<p>&#8220;It&#8217;s important for the eastern flank, for us, to have the coverage of their security,&#8221; he said.<\/p>\n<p>The United Kingdom, Germany, Poland, Sweden, the Netherlands, Belgium, Greece, Denmark, and Norway have already signed up to France&#8217;s initiative, which aims to deepen nuclear cooperation across Europe through joint exercises.<\/p>\n<p>Under the framework, participating countries could also potentially host French nuclear-capable aircraft on a temporary basis.<\/p>\n<p>Paris would, however, retain exclusive control over its nuclear arsenal, with the final decision on its use resting with the French president.<\/p>\n<p>Following Tuesday&#8217;s agreement, the Latvian government confirmed that it would apply sanctions on Usmanov and Fridman at the national level. Kyiv has urged other member states to follow suit.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>                                  Go to accessibility shortcuts<\/p>\n<div class=\"c-article-share-comment u-align-items-center u-display-flex\"><span class=\"c-article-share-comment__links u-align-items-center u-display-flex u-justify-content-center js-c-article-share-comment-share\"><span class=\"c-article-share-comment__label\">Share<\/span><\/span><span class=\"c-article-share-comment__label\">Comments<\/span><span class=\"c-article-share-comment__label c-article-share-comment__label--always\">Add Euronews on Google<\/span><\/div>\n<div id=\"adb-article-you-might-also-like\" class=\"perf-cv-auto c-article-you-might-also-like\">\n<h2 class=\"c-article-you-might-also-like__title\">\n        Read more<br \/>\n      <\/h2>\n<div class=\"c-article-you-might-also-like__item\">\n<h3>\n<p>                  Sanctions showdown leaves a bad taste as Latvia cautions against &#8216;normalising&#8217; Russia<\/p>\n<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-you-might-also-like__item\">\n<h3>\n<p>                  Zelenskyy asks EU countries to keep Usmanov and Fridman under sanctions<\/p>\n<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-you-might-also-like__item\">\n<h3>\n<p>                  Exclusive: EU countries sound alarm over weapons brought back from Ukraine front line<\/p>\n<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"perf-cv-auto\">\n<ul id=\"adb-article-tags\" class=\"c-tags-list\">\n<li class=\"c-tags-list__item\">\n<section class=\"tc-cta\" data-twig-component=\"Cta-default\">\n  EU sanctions against Russia<br \/>\n<\/section>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"c-tags-list__item\">\n<section class=\"tc-cta\" data-twig-component=\"Cta-default\">\n  World News<br \/>\n<\/section>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"c-tags-list__item\">\n<section class=\"tc-cta\" data-twig-component=\"Cta-default\">\n  Daily news<br \/>\n<\/section>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tp-vuukle\">\n<div class=\"c-vuukle-skeleton\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n<div class=\"c-vuukle-skeleton__header\"><span class=\"c-vuukle-skeleton__title\">Comments<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<aside class=\"o-article-newsy__aside\">\n<div class=\"c-ad-wrapper o-article-newsy__aside__content-1\" data-ad-name=\"adzone-halfpage\">\n<div class=\"c-ad c-ad-halfpage u-show-for-desktop\">\n<div class=\"c-ad__placeholder\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"c-ad__placeholder__logo\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/logos\/logo-euronews-stacked-outlined-72x72-grey-9.svg\" width=\"72\" height=\"72\" alt><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-ad u-show-for-mobile-only\">\n<div class=\"c-ad__placeholder\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"c-ad__placeholder__logo\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/logos\/logo-euronews-stacked-outlined-72x72-grey-9.svg\" width=\"72\" height=\"72\" alt><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"adb-article-top-stories\" class=\"perf-cv-auto c-top-stories\">\n<h2 class=\"c-top-stories__title\">Top stories<\/h2>\n<div class=\"c-top-stories__item\">\n<article id=\"abe-2928112-pos2-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2928112\" data-cid=\"9925371\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2928112-label-pos2-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/92\/53\/71\/320x180_cmsv2_fde5fe82-f1c7-5091-b65b-61329d786eca-9925371.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Iran&apos;s President Masoud Pezeshkian holds an image of late Ayatollah Ali Khamenei during the 81st session of the General Assembly at UN headquarters, 23 September 2026\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Pezeshkian tells UN Iran will not be bullied but will negotiate<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-top-stories__item\">\n<article id=\"abe-2928056-pos3-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2928056\" data-cid=\"9925190\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2928056-label-pos3-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/92\/49\/09\/320x180_cmsv2_40ac2e97-a60f-5304-9b4f-dc00e1190b72-9924909.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Maricarmen, who is 87-years-old. Pictured speaking to media on the street. \" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Spain: Protests after 87-year-old woman evicted from home by force<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-top-stories__item\">\n<article id=\"abe-2928178-pos4-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2928178\" data-cid=\"9925473\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2928178-label-pos4-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/92\/54\/73\/320x180_cmsv2_662447ac-a1d8-5c67-b5e6-f0f4c06840cc-9925473.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Ukraine&apos;s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy speaks during the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly at United Nations headquarters. 23 September 2026\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Zelenskyy calls for continued pressure on Russia at UNGA<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-top-stories__item\">\n<article id=\"abe-2928092-pos5-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2928092\" data-cid=\"9925305\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2928092-label-pos5-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/92\/50\/36\/320x180_cmsv2_8b84ca08-5d39-5697-82ec-76181e56a81c-9925036.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Pope Leo XIV will be visiting France from 25 to 28 September.\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Day devoted to the Pope in French Catholic schools sparks controversy<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-top-stories__item\">\n<article id=\"abe-2928081-pos6-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2928081\" data-cid=\"9925177\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2928081-label-pos6-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/92\/49\/87\/320x180_cmsv2_9e36682d-2934-5d0c-99d3-1c614fee00a1-9924987.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"A Russian Mi-8 helicopter crossed the Polish border.\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Russian military helicopter violates Polish airspace<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"perf-cv-auto c-ad-wrapper o-article-newsy__aside__content-2\" data-ad-name=\"adzone-halfpage\">\n<div class=\"c-ad c-ad-halfpage u-show-for-desktop\">\n<div class=\"c-ad__placeholder\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"c-ad__placeholder__logo\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/logos\/logo-euronews-stacked-outlined-72x72-grey-9.svg\" width=\"72\" height=\"72\" alt><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-ad u-show-for-mobile-only\">\n<div class=\"c-ad__placeholder\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"c-ad__placeholder__logo\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/logos\/logo-euronews-stacked-outlined-72x72-grey-9.svg\" width=\"72\" height=\"72\" alt><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"perf-cv-auto c-most-viewed\">\n<h2 class=\"c-most-viewed__title qa-section-title\">Most read<\/h2>\n<div class=\"c-most-viewed__list\">\n<div class=\"c-most-viewed__item\"><span class=\"c-most-viewed__item__number\">1<\/span><\/p>\n<article id=\"abe-2927863-pos1-mostViewed\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-3 m-modeDesktop-3 m-modeXL-3 the-media-object--has-video the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2927863\" data-cid=\"9924049\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    El Ni\u00f1o transforms Atacama desert as thousands of hectares burst into bloom<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-most-viewed__item\"><span class=\"c-most-viewed__item__number\">2<\/span><\/p>\n<article id=\"abe-2927980-pos2-mostViewed\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-3 m-modeDesktop-3 m-modeXL-3 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2927980\" data-cid=\"9924515\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Taylor Swift announces new single \u2018Patient Zero\u2019 &#8211; 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Pictured speaking to media on the street. \" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Spain: Protests after 87-year-old woman evicted from home by force<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2928178-pos4-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2928178\" data-cid=\"9925473\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2928178-label-pos4-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/92\/54\/73\/320x180_cmsv2_662447ac-a1d8-5c67-b5e6-f0f4c06840cc-9925473.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Ukraine&apos;s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy speaks during the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly at United Nations headquarters. 23 September 2026\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Zelenskyy calls for continued pressure on Russia at UNGA<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2928092-pos5-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2928092\" data-cid=\"9925305\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2928092-label-pos5-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/92\/50\/36\/320x180_cmsv2_8b84ca08-5d39-5697-82ec-76181e56a81c-9925036.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Pope Leo XIV will be visiting France from 25 to 28 September.\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Day devoted to the Pope in French Catholic schools sparks controversy<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2928081-pos6-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2928081\" data-cid=\"9925177\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2928081-label-pos6-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/92\/49\/87\/320x180_cmsv2_9e36682d-2934-5d0c-99d3-1c614fee00a1-9924987.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"A Russian Mi-8 helicopter crossed the Polish border.\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Russian military helicopter violates Polish airspace<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2927863-pos1-mostViewed\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-3 m-modeDesktop-3 m-modeXL-3 the-media-object--has-video the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2927863\" data-cid=\"9924049\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    El Ni\u00f1o transforms Atacama desert as thousands of hectares burst into bloom<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2927980-pos2-mostViewed\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-3 m-modeDesktop-3 m-modeXL-3 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2927980\" data-cid=\"9924515\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Taylor Swift announces new single \u2018Patient Zero\u2019 &#8211; and faces backlash for cover art<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2927504-pos3-mostViewed\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-3 m-modeDesktop-3 m-modeXL-3 the-media-object--has-video the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2927504\" data-cid=\"9922016\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Fuel taxes in Europe: Which country taxes petrol the most?<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2927773-pos4-mostViewed\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-3 m-modeDesktop-3 m-modeXL-3 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2927773\" data-cid=\"9923538\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    &#8216;I&#8217;m done with medical abuse&#8217;: actor Arnaud Denis dies by euthanasia in Belgium<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2927726-pos5-mostViewed\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-3 m-modeDesktop-3 m-modeXL-3 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2927726\" data-cid=\"9923181\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Exclusive: EU sounds alarm over weapons brought back from Ukraine<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<div class=\"articleBody\" data-key=\"articleBody\">Latvian Prime Minister Andris Kulbergs said his country \u201cstood to the end\u201d to prevent two Russian oligarchs from being delisted from a sanctions package but concluded alongside Ukraine it was best to compromise for a salvo.But he warned that the exemption should be a one-off occurrence and not be par for the course when debating EU sanctions in the future. \u00a0\u00a0\u201cEither it is sports, what we&#8217;ve seen, either culture, and now one by one cherry-picking out of sanctions, that is not the way to go,\u201d he said.\u201cThat is normalising Russia.\u201dAfter two weeks of drawn-out talks among EU ambassadors, France succeeded in its push on Tuesday to remove Alisher Usmanov from the sanctions list as part of a prisoner release with Azerbaijan brokered by Uzbekistan, Usmanov&#8217;s home country.A second high-profile businessman, Mikhail Fridman, was also removed after Slovakia called for his delisting.Luxembourg, meanwhile, had argued that if Usmanov was removed, Fridman should be too. Fridman has filed a $16 billion claim against Luxembourg over his frozen assets.The asset freeze and travel ban in place since 2022 will be lifted as a result.Kulbergs was the main objector to a proposed compromise. After it was tabled on Monday, he took to social media to present his red lines, making it clear that while Latvia supported extending the blacklist for 36 months, it did not back removing the two names from the list as part of the deal.Until now, the bloc had rolled over its sanctions every six months, creating constant opportunities for countries to veto and extract concessions. The three-year extension is meant to offset the political pain of delisting the two high-profile businessmen.The sanctions list currently includes nearly 3,000 names, organisations and entities accused of supporting Russia&#8217;s war in Ukraine, including Russian President Vladimir Putin.Kulbergs told Euronews that he dropped his opposition because &#8220;we all understood it is not worth risking&#8221; the whole EU sanctions package.Asked what legacy the episode would leave behind for future negotiations regarding EU sanctions policy, Kulbergs said that it was not a good one, though he welcomed the 36-month timeframe.\u201cI\u2019m worried about the playbook which it leaves,\u201d he said.\u201cI don&#8217;t think this is a very good example, because that gives a message. \u2018Oh, we arrest some politicians somewhere, and then we can ask for a sanctions package.\u2019 This is not a good playbook, and that&#8217;s exactly why we froze it for 36 months. That\u2019s it. No discussion.\u201dLatvia, together with fellow Baltic states Lithuania and Estonia, has long advocated a strategy of maximum pressure on Russia. The country is heading to the polls for a parliamentary election next month.Before lifting Latvia&#8217;s objection, Kulbergs spoke with French President Emmanuel Macron, whose country led the push to remove Usmanov from the sanctions.Paris has not yet acknowledged the prisoner release with Azerbaijan and instead cited a &#8220;national security&#8221; reason to justify its controversial request.Kulbergs said: &#8220;I cannot communicate and I cannot know the reasons behind the national security aspects of each of those countries&#8217; positions.&#8221;He added, however, that the vulnerability of Europe&#8217;s eastern flank, which includes Latvia, puts it in good stead to potentially join France&#8217;s nuclear deterrance programme.&#8221;It&#8217;s important for the eastern flank, for us, to have the coverage of their security,&#8221; he said.The United Kingdom, Germany, Poland, Sweden, the Netherlands, Belgium, Greece, Denmark, and Norway have already signed up to France&#8217;s initiative, which aims to deepen nuclear cooperation across Europe through joint exercises.Under the framework, participating countries could also potentially host French nuclear-capable aircraft on a temporary basis.Paris would, however, retain exclusive control over its nuclear arsenal, with the final decision on its use resting with the French president.Following Tuesday&#8217;s agreement, the Latvian government confirmed that it would apply sanctions on Usmanov and Fridman at the national level. Kyiv has urged other member states to follow suit.<\/div>\n<p>[analyse_source url=&#8221;https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/2026\/09\/22\/cherry-picking-sanctions-risks-normalising-russia-latvian-pm-says-amid-usmanov-row&#8221;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/92\/37\/86\/1200x675_cmsv2_00907f22-07c9-50cf-8d0b-d752e4cc4326-9923786.jpg&#8221;] Europe News Zelenskyy calls for continued pressure on Russia at UNGA Europe News Spain: Protests after 87-year-old woman evicted from home by force Europe News Day devoted to the Pope in French Catholic schools sparks controversy The Ring Who can afford to live in Greece? The Ring in Athens Europe News Zelenskyy [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[90],"tags":[226,36],"class_list":["post-2159831","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-international","tag-crawlmanager","tag-euronews-com"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2159831","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=2159831"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2159831\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=2159831"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=2159831"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=2159831"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}