The European Union has agreed to lift sanctions on two Russian billionaires, Alisher Usmanov and Mikhail Fridman, a move that has drawn strong criticism from Ukraine. Ukrainian Deputy Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha expressed anger, stating that Moscow was "celebrating." Diplomats noted that France had pushed for the lifting of restrictions on Usmanov, citing national security concerns. Hours after the EU lifted sanctions, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev ordered the pardon and release of French citizen Martin Ryan, who had been accused of espionage. Ryan denied the espionage charges and was one of 20 people pardoned by Aliyev. However, another French citizen, Anass Derraz, remains imprisoned in Azerbaijan on suspicion of receiving Russian bribes.