EU continues talks on deal to lift sanctions on Russia-linked billionaires Usmanov and Fridman, diplomats say
The European Union has extended its broad Russia sanctions list for another three years while dropping billionaires Alisher Usmanov and Mikhail Fridman. Ukrainian Minister of Foreign Affairs Sybiha condemned the decision, stating that Ukraine fought to prevent the delistings and is now preparing retaliatory sanctions against more than twenty Russian oligarchs. While the EU removed the two men, their names remain on UK lists and the SDN list. Lithuania responded to the EU decision by imposing its own five-year entry bans on both billionaires.
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- ✓ The European Union preserved nearly all of its individual sanctions on Russia for another three years while dropping Alisher Usmanov and Mikhail Fridman.
- ✓ Ukrainian Foreign Minister Sybiha stated that Ukraine fought publicly and privately until the last moment to prevent the delistings.
- ✓ Ukraine is preparing sanctions targeting more than twenty Russian oligarchs in response to the EU decision.
- ✓ Lithuania barred both billionaires for five years following the EU delistings.
What changed
Ukraine announced it is preparing new sanctions against over twenty Russian oligarchs in direct retaliation for the EU delisting.
Live updates
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EU Lifts Sanctions on Usmanov and Fridman
The European Union has extended its broad Russia sanctions list for another three years while dropping billionaires Alisher Usmanov and Mikhail Fridman. Ukrainian Minister of Foreign Affairs Sybiha condemned the decision, stating that Ukraine fought to prevent the delistings and is now preparing retaliatory sanctions against more than twenty Russian oligarchs. While the EU removed the two men, their names remain on UK lists and the SDN list. Lithuania responded to the EU decision by imposing its own five-year entry bans on both billionaires.
Why it matters
The delisting concludes months of internal wrangling where Luxembourg intervened for Fridman over a lawsuit and France backed Usmanov for a prisoner pardon in Azerbaijan. Ukraine slammed the deal as shameful and seeks to return both men to the sanctions list. Analysts note that these escapes via political leverage and legal pressure could provide a roadmap for other Russian oligarchs seeking to bypass EU restrictions.
What is confirmed
- The European Union preserved nearly all of its individual sanctions on Russia for another three years while dropping Alisher Usmanov and Mikhail Fridman.
- Ukrainian Foreign Minister Sybiha stated that Ukraine fought publicly and privately until the last moment to prevent the delistings.
- Ukraine is preparing sanctions targeting more than twenty Russian oligarchs in response to the EU decision.
- Lithuania barred both billionaires for five years following the EU delistings.
Still unconfirmed
- Luxembourg intervened for Fridman over a massive lawsuit, and France backed Usmanov in exchange for a pardon for a French citizen convicted in Azerbaijan.
- The SDN and UK lists did not move following the EU delisting.
What to watch next
- Formal announcement and implementation of Ukraine's planned sanctions against the group of 20-plus Russian oligarchs
- Any official moves by other member states to follow Lithuania in imposing national restrictions on Usmanov and Fridman
confidence 95%Sources used for this update (5)
- adalytica.com — EU keeps Russia sanctions, drops Usmanov and Fridman
- kyivindependent.com — Ukraine prepares sanctions on 20-plus Russian oligarchs in ...
- newsukraine.rbc.ua — Ukrainian Minister of Foreign Affairs counters EU’s removal ...
- united24media.com — How Russian Oligarchs Are Finding a Way Out of EU Sanctions ...
- fesenkolaw.com — Usmanov and Fridman: EU Sanctions Delisting Leaves the SDN ...
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EU Delists Russian Billionaires Usmanov and Fridman in Sanctions Deal
The European Union has extended its broad Russia sanctions list for three years while removing Russian billionaires Alisher Usmanov and Mikhail Fridman. The decision concludes months of internal wrangling where Luxembourg intervened for Fridman over a massive lawsuit, and France backed Usmanov in exchange for a pardon for a French citizen convicted in Azerbaijan. Ukraine condemned the deal as shameful and intends to seek the return of both men to the sanctions list. Meanwhile, Lithuania barred both billionaires for five years following the EU delistings.
Why it matters
The compromise marks the first major instance of Russian billionaires successfully escaping the bloc's restrictive measures since the invasion of Ukraine. While the extended horizon preserves broad economic pressure against thousands of other targets, the delistings expose deep divisions and national self-interest among member states. Other Russian oligarchs are now examining the legal maneuvers used by Usmanov and Fridman as potential precedents for their own relief.
What is confirmed
- The European Union extended its Russia sanctions list for three years while removing USM Holdings founder Alisher Usmanov and Alfa Group co-founder Mikhail Fridman.
- Luxembourg intervened on behalf of Mikhail Fridman, who filed a lawsuit against the country for a huge sum.
- France backed the removal of Alisher Usmanov in exchange for a pardon for a French citizen convicted in Azerbaijan.
- Lithuania barred Alisher Usmanov and Mikhail Fridman for five years on September 25.
Still unconfirmed
- Ukraine will seek to have Alisher Usmanov and Mikhail Fridman restored to European sanctions lists.
What to watch next
- Formal diplomatic push by Ukraine to restore Usmanov and Fridman to the EU sanctions list
- Additional national entry bans or restrictions implemented by other EU member states against the two delisted billionaires
- Further legal challenges or investment arbitration claims by other Russian oligarchs seeking to exit the sanctions regime
confidence 95%Sources used for this update (14)
- ceoworld.biz — What the Usmanov and Fridman Delistings Mean for Business and Investors
- meduza.io — ‘A triumph of money, filth, and hypocrisy’: EU decision to ...
- www.france24.com — Europe lifts sanctions against two Russians - France 24
- eureports.com — EU renews Russia sanctions for three years, delists Usmanov ...
- www.globalbankingandfinance.com — EU Faces Criticism After Lifting Sanctions on Russian ...
- today.rtl.lu — Latvia objects: Ukraine anger as EU lifts sanctions on ... - RTL
- meduza.io — The EU lifted sanctions on Russian billionaires Alisher ...
- www.billionaires.africa — Lithuania bans two Russian billionaires the EU just set free
- newsukraine.rbc.ua — Usmanov, Fridman off sanctions list, other Russian ...
- exportprac.com — EU Renews Russia Sanctions for Three Years, Delists Usmanov ...
- newsukraine.rbc.ua — Russia's billionaire Usmanov escapes EU sanctions, France ...
- en.thebell.io — Sanctions lifted from oligarchs Usmanov and Fridman - The Bell
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EU removes billionaires Usmanov and Fridman from sanctions list
The European Union has renewed sanctions against approximately 3,000 Russian targets for three years but removed billionaires Alisher Usmanov and Petr Fridman from the blacklist. The decision follows a renewal deal that Ukraine has described as shameful. The move comes after a period of internal deadlock where France pushed to spare Usmanov while Latvia and its prime minister actively opposed the removal of the two billionaires.
Why it matters
The EU maintains a comprehensive sanctions regime to pressure Russia over its actions in Ukraine. Removing high-profile oligarchs suggests a shift in diplomatic priorities or internal compromise among member states. This specific deal highlights the tension between member states like France and Latvia regarding the enforcement of economic penalties.
What is confirmed
- The EU removed billionaires Usmanov and Fridman from its sanctions list.
- The EU renewed sanctions on about 3,000 other targets for three years.
- Latvia and the Latvian Prime Minister opposed the deal to lift sanctions on Usmanov and Fridman.
- France sought to lift sanctions on Usmanov.
Still unconfirmed
- Ukraine called the sanctions renewal deal shameful.
- France blocked other EU sanctions on Russia specifically to protect Usmanov.
What to watch next
- Official EU publication of the updated sanctions list
- Further diplomatic responses from the Ukrainian government
confidence 95%Sources used for this update (13)
- baynews9.com — What a divided city council had to say as Rays stadium deal advances to county
- France 24 — Live: Russia says it hit Ukrainian cargo vessels, Izmail port and logistics centre
- Reuters — EU to lift sanctions on Russia-linked Usmanov and Fridman, diplomats say
- euractiv.com — Latvia blocks deal to renew EU’s Russia blacklist
- Euronews.com — Latvia blocks deal to remove Usmanov from EU sanctions list
- Bloomberg.com — Latvia Opposes French Bid to Lift EU Sanctions on Russian Tycoon
- Yahoo — Latvian PM opposes deal to lift sanctions on Russia-linked billionaires Usmanov and Fridman
- The Guardian — EU deadlocked on changes to Russia sanctions ahead of key Ukraine, Greenland talks - Europe live
- The Washington Post — France blocks E.U. sanctions on Russia in push to spare oligarch Usmanov
- politico.eu — EU removes two Russian billionaires from sanctions list
- Reuters — EU renews Russia sanctions, drops Russian billionaires Usmanov and Fridman
- Financial Times — EU to lift sanctions on two Russian oligarchs
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