Russian dissident Kara-Murza warns France is sending 'dangerous signal' to Putin

What did France do regarding EU sanctions on Alisher Usmanov and Mikhail Fridman?

France pushed the European Union to remove Alisher Usmanov from its sanctions list. It also requested Mikhail Fridman’s removal, but Luxembourg formally made that request, according to the article.

Usmanov, a Russian-Uzbek metals billionaire with close ties to Vladimir Putin, was sanctioned after Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022. The EU removed him on September 22, following France’s initiative; Fridman was removed separately after Luxembourg’s request.

Vladimir Kara-Murza called France’s move “shameful” and warned it could signal a return to normal relations with Putin’s government. He argued France should instead have sought the release of Russian political prisoners, saying more than 2,000 are currently known. He said lifting sanctions could encourage other oligarchs to demand the same treatment.

What are economic sanctions, and why were these two Russian billionaires sanctioned after Russia invaded Ukraine?

Economic sanctions are government penalties that restrict a person’s money, property, business dealings, or access to financial systems. They aim to pressure governments without direct military action by raising costs for connected individuals and institutions.

Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. The EU then sanctioned Alisher Usmanov, a Russian-Uzbek metals tycoon described as having close ties to Vladimir Putin. Mikhail Fridman was also sanctioned as a major Russian oligarch.

On 22 September, the EU removed both men from its sanctions list. France pushed for both removals, while Luxembourg requested Fridman’s removal. Kara-Murza called the decision “shameful,” warning it could encourage other oligarchs and suggest the West is restoring normal relations with Putin.

How many known political prisoners are currently held in Russia, and how does that compare with the number held across the entire Soviet Union in the mid-1980s?

Russia currently holds more than 2,000 known political prisoners. Across the entire Soviet Union, there were about 750 known political prisoners in the mid-1980s. Russia’s current total is therefore more than two and a half times higher.

These prisoners are people jailed for opposing the government or its policies. Vladimir Kara-Murza is one example: Russia sentenced him to 25 years after he condemned the invasion of Ukraine. The law now treats public criticism, especially of the war, as a criminal offense.

The comparison is striking because the Soviet figure covered 15 countries, while today’s figure covers Russia alone. Kara-Murza says the total shows political repression has expanded sharply. The actual number may be higher, since the figure counts only known cases.

Why does Kara-Murza believe lifting sanctions could signal that Western countries are ready to return to normal relations with Putin?

Kara-Murza sees sanctions as more than financial penalties. They also show whether Western governments still reject Putin’s system. If major figures close to the Kremlin regain normal treatment, he fears Russia will read that as acceptance. For him, the signal matters because concessions can arrive without meaningful political change in Moscow.

France pushed the European Union to remove metals tycoon Alisher Usmanov from its sanctions list on September 22. Mikhail Fridman was also removed, after Luxembourg requested it. He says this invites other oligarchs to demand equal treatment. That could weaken pressure on Putin and make renewed Western business seem possible.

He is especially alarmed because France did not link the sanctions decision to freeing Russian political prisoners. Russia now has more than 2,000 known political prisoners, while Putin has ruled for almost 27 years. Kara-Murza therefore argues that lifting sanctions risks normalising relations before the war or repression has ended.

What is appeasement, and why does Kara-Murza argue that appeasing an aggressor can lead to more conflict rather than peace?

Appeasement means giving an aggressive leader concessions to avoid immediate confrontation. It may bring temporary calm, but can signal that aggression carries few costs and encourage further demands.

A classic example is Britain and France’s 1938 Munich Agreement, which allowed Nazi Germany to take the Sudetenland. Hitler treated that concession as weakness, and Germany invaded Poland the next year, beginning World War II. Kara-Murza applies this warning to today’s Russia: France pushed to remove EU sanctions against Usmanov and Mikhail Fridman. He fears Kremlin leaders and other oligarchs will read this as permission to expect more concessions.

The source reports more than 2,000 known political prisoners in Russia and says Putin’s regime depends on war. Kara-Murza argues that normalising relations while Putin remains in power cannot create lasting peace. His warning is that pressure should remain tied to ending aggression and freeing prisoners, not simply restoring business ties.

How do sanctions, diplomatic recognition, and international institutions such as the International Criminal Court shape the behavior and legitimacy of governments?

Sanctions are economic penalties that raise the cost of repression or war. Diplomatic recognition signals which governments are treated as legitimate partners. International institutions, including the International Criminal Court (ICC), can investigate leaders and issue arrest warrants, challenging impunity and limiting their travel. Their influence depends on enforcement and cooperation.

Russia provides a clear example. The EU sanctioned Alisher Usmanov after Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine. It removed him on September 22, following France’s push. Kara-Murza called this “shameful,” saying it signaled possible normalization with Putin. Reversing sanctions can weaken pressure, even when governments cite diplomatic reasons.

The wider reality remains severe. Kara-Murza says Russia has more than 2,000 known political prisoners. He received 25 years for condemning the war, then gained freedom in a 2024 prisoner exchange. These tools cannot automatically change governments. Their effect depends on consistent enforcement and cooperation.

Key Facts:

📌 France pushed the EU to remove Usmanov from sanctions on September 22.

📌 France requested Fridman’s removal; Luxembourg made the successful request.

📌 Usmanov was sanctioned after Russia’s February 2022 full-scale invasion.

📌 The EU sanctioned Usmanov after Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022.

📌 France pushed for Usmanov’s removal; Luxembourg requested Fridman’s.

📌 Kara-Murza called the sanctions removals “shameful” and dangerous.

📌 Russia has more than 2,000 known political prisoners.