The recent decision by the EU court to remove two prominent Russian tycoons, Mikhail Fridman and Pyotr Aven, from the sanctions list has sparked a debate about the effectiveness of the current sanctions regime. This ruling raises questions about the need for improvement and highlights the limitations of the current individual sanctions system.
The court’s decision underscores the arbitrary nature of Western sanctions framework. While Fridman and Aven remain on the sanctions list for now pending potential appeals and further decisions, this ruling shows that there is no clear path for Russian elites to escape sanctions. This raises doubts about their effectiveness as a tool to change behavior rather than simply as a punitive measure.
The problem with the current sanctions regime goes beyond legal technicalities. There is a need for transparent and coherent criteria for individuals to be removed from the sanctions list. Establishing clear conditions for individuals to demonstrate a commitment to distancing themselves from the Kremlin regime could help ensure that these measures are effective in achieving meaningful change in Russian behavior and advancing Western interests.
The removal of Fridman and Aven from the sanctions list may have legal grounds, but it also highlights the need for a comprehensive and strategic approach to sanctions. Sanctions should be used as a tool to change behavior rather than just as punishment, and there is a need for greater clarity in how they are applied to achieve this goal.
In conclusion, while Fridman and Aven may have been removed from the EU’s sanctions list based on legal grounds, this ruling highlights once again that there is no clear path out of western imposed economic penalties on Russia’s elite businessmen who maintain close ties with Kremlin regime. To enhance their effectiveness, it is necessary that criteria for removal are transparently established, demonstrating an individual’s commitment to distancing themselves from Putin’s government.
