EU continues talks on deal to lift sanctions on Russia-linked billionaires Usmanov and Fridman, diplomats say — Live Feedhttps://www.live-feeds.com/feed/eu-continues-talks-on-deal-to-lift-sanctions-on-russia-linked-billionaires-usmanov-and-fridman-diplomats-sayContinuously updated, source-cited coverage. EU removes billionaires Usmanov and Fridman from sanctions listhttps://www.live-feeds.com/feed/eu-continues-talks-on-deal-to-lift-sanctions-on-russia-linked-billionaires-usmanov-and-fridman-diplomats-sayhttps://www.live-feeds.com/feed/eu-continues-talks-on-deal-to-lift-sanctions-on-russia-linked-billionaires-usmanov-and-fridman-diplomats-say#u82110Thu, 24 Sep 2026 02:45:40 +0000The 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 mattersThe EU maintains a comprehensive sanctions regime to pressure Russia over its actions in Ukraine. Removing high-profile oligarchs suggests a shift in dipl