Ambassadors from the 27 EU member states have agreed to remove Alisher Usmanov and Mikhail Friedman from the list of individuals subject to sanctions, Reuters reported, citing European diplomats. The move has not yet been finalised: it will come into force if no member state raises any objections within the specified timeframe. The agreement forms part of a package to extend restrictions on other individuals subject to sanctions.
Briefly about the main points
- The decision concerning the two businessmen could still be blocked by an EU Member State.
- France and Slovakia pushed for Usmanov to be removed from the list.
- Luxembourg demanded that Mikhail Friedman be expelled at the same time.
- For the remainder of the list of individuals, the restrictions are set to be extended for three years.
- The EU’s sectoral sanctions against Russia remain in force until July 2027.
The agreement requires formal conclusion
These are EU personal sanctions: the freezing of assets within the bloc and a ban on entry into or transit through its territory. Both businessmen have been on the sanctions list since 2022.
In introducing restrictions against Usmanov, the EU cited his «particularly close ties» with Russian President Vladimir Putin. As the procedure has not yet been finalised, it is too early to speak of the definitive lifting of these measures.
A compromise following the deadlock in negotiations
Negotiations on extending the regime have reached an impasse, as a decision requires the unanimous agreement of all EU Member States. As a result, the individual sanctions were previously extended by just seven days — until 22 September.
France joined Slovakia in calling for Usmanov to be removed from the list. Reuters reported that Paris had raised the issue against the backdrop of possible pressure from Azerbaijan, where at least two French citizens are being held. Azerbaijan rejected such claims, whilst France did not publicly confirm this explanation.
Luxembourg insisted that Friedman be removed from the list at the same time. According to Reuters, the businessman is claiming $16 billion from the country in an arbitration dispute; diplomats linked Luxembourg’s position to fears that its legal arguments in the case might be weakened.
A three-year extension is being prepared for the remainder of the list
Part of the compromise involves extending the personal sanctions against thousands of other Russian individuals and legal entities for a full three years. This is longer than the usual review cycles of six or 12 months.
In March, this regime covered around 2,600 individuals and organisations. In addition to asset freezes and travel restrictions, EU citizens and companies are prohibited from providing financial resources to those subject to sanctions.
Ukraine has called for the restrictions not to be eased
On 12 September, the President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called on partners not to ease sanctions against Usmanov and Friedman and stated that they must take concrete steps to oppose the war. This is Kyiv’s political position, not a legal explanation of EU procedures.
A possible removal from the EU’s personal sanctions list does not lift sanctions imposed by other states. Separately, in June, the EU extended sectoral economic constraints against Russia until 31 July 2027: these cover, in particular, trade, the financial sector, the energy sector and dual-use technologies.
