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Hungary and Slovakia Push EU to Lift Sanctions on Russian Oligarchs Ahead of Renewal Deadline
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![Photo of Dariia Mykhailenko]( "Photo of Dariia Mykhailenko")
Hungary and Slovakia are pressuring the European Union to lift sanctions against several Russian oligarchs, demanding the removal of asset freezes and visa bans in order to approve the extension of broader restrictive measures targeting Moscow. These sanctions were first introduced more than three years ago in response to Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty reported on September 3.
According to EU diplomats who spoke on condition of anonymity, Slovakia is seeking to delist oligarch Alisher Usmanov and businessman Mikhail Fridman. Hungary, meanwhile, is insisting on removing four more names: Dmitry Mazepin, Petr Aven, Musa Bazhaev, and Albert Avdolyan.
In an attempt to resolve the standoff, other EU member states have proposed an alternative—striking only one or two individuals from the list, specifically those considered “weak cases.” These are figures sanctioned on the basis of evidence deemed too limited to withstand legal scrutiny, with their eventual removal seen as likely, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty reported.
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The debate has also raised the issue of sanction renewal procedures. Several states are pushing to extend the renewal cycle from the current six months to 12 months, arguing that a longer period would provide greater stability and reduce opportunities for political bargaining. However, both Bratislava and Budapest rejected this compromise during lower-level negotiations in Brussels.
According to Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, this is not the first time Budapest has moved to ease restrictions on Moscow’s elites. Back in March, following weeks of intense diplomatic wrangling, Russian businessman Vyacheslav Moshe Kantor, Russia’s Sports Minister Mikhail Degtyaryov, and Gulbakhor Ismailova—the sister of billionaire Alisher Usmanov—were removed from the EU’s blacklist.
The latest demands from Hungary and Slovakia highlight ongoing divisions within the bloc over how to maintain pressure on Moscow, even as Ukraine continues to fight for its survival against Russia’s aggression.
No agreement is anticipated at this stage, but with the September 15 deadline for renewing sanctions fast approaching, negotiators are expected to reach some form of compromise next week.
Earlier, during talks with Russian leader Vladimir Putin, Serbian leader Aleksandar Vučić voiced concerns over the difficulties his country has faced since the launch of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
