Sanctions against Russia: What an indictment

T he voices are clearly audible that they would rather completely lift the sanctions against Russia because of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine today rather than tomorrow. The justification is always that these punitive measures are ineffective and, above all, harm their own economy. Admittedly, there is something to it, although the reasons for it are varied.

France, of all countries, has now ensured that the Uzbek-Russian oligarch Alisher Usmanov has been removed from the EU sanctions list. Although President Emmanuel Macron has always acted as a staunch supporter of Ukraine. Anyone who initially speculated about Macron's motives may now have found what they were looking for: one of two French citizens imprisoned in Azerbaijan was immediately pardoned. It can happen that quickly.

But to now speak of a dangerous precedent and feign concern is as naive as it is hypocritical. There have already been a few obstacles in the way of sanctions against Moscow, including Hungary's former prime minister Viktor Orbán and currently the Slovakian head of government Robert Fico. Politicians who would put Ukraine over the edge in order to at the same time curry favor with their friend Putin.

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Now Macron is also stepping out of the ranks of the willing. This isn't a new phenomenon in itself, but it doesn't make things any better. On the contrary: it will not only be France that will be easier to blackmail in the future. This is especially true when it comes to getting compatriots out of prison, be it in Russia, Azerbaijan or Belarus. Its President Alexander Lukashenko knows only too well how this cynical hostage game works, including with the USA: prisoners in exchange for the lifting of sanctions - there you go, it works. Who would be surprised that Kyiv reacts with sharp criticism. But there should also be a need for discussion in the EU, and plenty of it. Some may call it realpolitik, but in reality it is an indictment.