Latvia's prime minister has accused the European Union of "cherry-picking" its sanctions on Moscow, warning that a last-minute deal to remove two oligarchs from the bloc's blacklist risks "normalising Russia." The criticism came after Riga dropped its opposition to the delistings to avoid derailing the renewal of sanctions on some 2,600 individuals.
The standoff, which played out hours before the sanctions' renewal deadline, saw France push to remove Uzbek-Russian billionaire Alisher Usmanov from the list as part of a prisoner-release deal with Azerbaijan. Slovakia had separately lobbied for the removal of Mikhail Fridman, another prominent businessman. Latvia, a staunch supporter of Ukraine, fiercely resisted the move but ultimately conceded.
In an exclusive interview with European Pulse, Prime Minister Andris Kulbergs said he had accepted the compromise because "we all understood it is not worth risking" the entire sanctions package. But he voiced deep unease about the precedent set by the deal. "I'm worried about the playbook which it leaves," he said. "This is normalising Russia."
The episode has exposed growing divisions within the EU over how to handle Moscow, with some member states prioritising diplomatic side-deals over the bloc's unified stance. Ukraine has also warned against political delistings, arguing they undermine the credibility of the sanctions regime.
Energy crunch adds to Brussels' headaches
Meanwhile, French President Emmanuel Macron has written to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen urging emergency measures to boost Europe's diesel and jet fuel supplies. The letter, dated 18 September, cites the prolonged closure of the Strait of Hormuz and renewed attacks on energy infrastructure in the Middle East as factors tightening global oil markets.
"In recent weeks, international supply has deteriorated once again, driven by the combined impact of the targeting of energy infrastructure — in Russia and the Middle East — and the recovery of consumption in Asia," Macron wrote. The Commission acknowledged receipt of the letter but has not yet outlined specific proposals.
The energy crunch adds to a growing list of challenges for Brussels, which is also grappling with the fallout from the sanctions showdown and internal security concerns related to the war in Ukraine.
EU holds firm on Chinese inverters
In a separate decision, the European Commission has declined to extend its 1 November deadline for phasing out Chinese-made power inverters from EU-funded energy projects. Industry groups and institutional investors had called for more time, citing concerns over the availability and cost of alternatives. EU officials told European Pulse that the Commission intends to stick to its timetable, a move that could disrupt some renewable energy projects.
Gaza recovery and Greenland deal
On the international stage, European Commissioner for the Mediterranean Dubravka Šuica is set to announce two recovery projects for Gaza worth $50 million (€43.7 million) on the margins of the UN General Assembly in New York. The projects, part of the "Team Gaza Initiative," will provide water, sanitation, and waste management services in the Strip.
Also in New York, US President Donald Trump, Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, and Greenland's PM Jens-Frederik Nielsen signed a deal allowing the US to expand its military presence on Greenland. The agreement, described as a "win-win-win," includes modernising the Pituffik Space Base and establishing new defence areas at Narsarsuaq and Mestersvig, easing trans-Atlantic tensions over Trump's earlier threats to annex the island.
Morocco votes amid migration tensions
Moroccans head to the polls today to elect a new parliament, with 15.8 million registered voters. The election is the first since 2025 protests against corruption, and comes amid heightened tensions over migration. Manfred Weber, a leading European People's Party figure, visited Ceuta on Monday and called on Morocco to take back all irregular migrants. Spain's Youth Minister Sira Rego said most unaccompanied minors who entered Ceuta will not be returned, with an estimated 5,000–10,000 Moroccans still in the enclave.
Weapons from Ukraine front line raise EU security concerns
A confidential EU document seen by European Pulse reveals that member states have reported soldiers returning from Ukraine's front line bringing back weapons and military equipment. The document warns of a potential risk of military components circulating within the EU, though it notes no direct link to organised smuggling. EU ambassadors are set to discuss the issue on Wednesday as part of broader efforts to track weapons entering the bloc.
The developments come as the EU's sanctions renewal, which was ultimately passed, has left a bitter taste in Riga. Kulbergs' warning serves as a reminder that the bloc's unity on Russia is fragile, and that the cost of maintaining it may be higher than some are willing to pay.
