EU Poised to Remove Russian Oligarchs Usmanov and Fridman From Sanctions List

The European Union was prepared on September 21 to lift sanctions on Russia-linked billionaires Alisher Usmanov and Mikhail Fridman, Reuters reports.

Under a proposed agreement reached by EU ambassadors in Brussels, restrictions on approximately 3,000 other individuals and entities tied to Russia will be extended for three years, provided all EU governments grant formal approval.

The EU originally sanctioned both men in 2022 following Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, imposing travel bans and freezing their EU-based assets.

At the time, the EU cited Usmanov’s particularly close ties to Russian leader Vladimir Putin and stated that Fridman supported actions threatening Ukraine’s territorial integrity and independence, according to Reuters.

Both businessmen have challenged these claims and pursued legal action to reverse the measures.

The proposed package was sent to EU capitals for written approval on Monday evening.

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War in Ukraine

Weakening EU Sanctions Plays Into Russia’s Hands, Top Ukrainian Official Warns

Sep 21, 2026 21:01

Previously, European Union diplomats hit a deadlock over renewing sanctions on nearly 3,000 Russian targets after France joined Slovakia in demanding the removal of billionaire Alisher Usmanov.

France cited national security and efforts to free its citizens detained in Azerbaijan, while Luxembourg pushed to delist billionaire Mikhail Fridman, forcing the EU to agree to a one-week extension to avoid the regime's expiration.

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