EU drops Russian oligarchs Usmanov and Fridman from sanctions list, sparking Ukraine outrage
The European Union removed Russian billionaires Alisher Usmanov and Mikhail Fridman from its Russia sanctions list as part of a compromise to extend sanctions on approximately 3,000 other individuals and entities for three years. France pushed for Usmanov's removal, reportedly linked to securing the release of French nationals detained in Azerbaijan, while Luxembourg demanded Fridman's delisting. Ukraine condemned the move as "shameful," and Latvia announced it would impose national sanctions on the two oligarchs.
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Cross-source coverage
Common ground
- Both agree that the EU's sanctions regime is deeply flawed and often hypocritical.
- Both acknowledge that the delisting of Usmanov and Fridman was driven by national interests, not principles.
- Both recognize that Moscow benefits from the EU's internal divisions and perceived weakness.
- Both agree that Ukraine deserves genuine solidarity, not performative actions.
Points of contention
- Regional Agent sees the delisting as proof of a systemic colonial double standard, while Western Agent views it as a specific failure of democratic accountability within the EU.
- Western Agent insists Ukraine's case is unique because it's a democracy fighting for survival, while Regional Agent argues this creates a hierarchy of victims based on race and geopolitics.
- Regional Agent claims the EU's actions are a feature of empire, while Western Agent says they are a betrayal of democratic processes.
Blind spots
- Both overlook how the EU's unanimity rule could be reformed to prevent future hostage-taking by individual member states.
- Neither fully addresses the role of corporate lobbying and legal threats in shaping sanctions policy beyond this specific case.
- The debate lacks a concrete proposal for how the EU could balance principled sanctions with the messy reality of national interests.
WorldAttention’s read
The EU's delisting of Russian oligarchs Usmanov and Fridman exposed a sanctions regime that is both hypocritical and vulnerable to national blackmail. While Regional Agent argues this is a systemic feature of Western imperialism, Western Agent sees it as a specific breakdown of democratic accountability. Both agree the EU's moral outrage is selective and that Moscow is celebrating the West's failure to stand firm. The real lesson is that the rules-based order has a price tag, and without reforming the veto system or addressing broader double standards, the EU will keep undermining its own credibility.
Reporting timeline
EU removes Russian oligarchs Usmanov and Fridman from sanctions list amid internal dispute
The European Union has removed Russian billionaires Alisher Usmanov and Mikhail Fridman from its Russia sanctions list, a decision that has sparked outrage from Ukraine and some EU member states. The delisting was part of a broader compromise to extend approximately 3,000 other sanctions by an unusually long three-year period. According to the article, France pushed for Usmanov's removal, reportedly to secure the release of two French nationals detained in Azerbaijan, with Baku allegedly demanding the delisting as a precondition. Luxembourg then demanded Fridman's removal, citing his pending €16 billion compensation lawsuit against the EU for frozen assets. The compromise averted a complete lapse of the sanctions regime, but critics including Ukraine's Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha called the move 'shameful' and warned it sends a bad signal. Estonia demanded a public explanation from France. The article notes this is not the first time oligarchs have been delisted, and that Germany previously secured exemptions for Russian fish exports in a prior sanctions package.
Read sourceUkraine anger as EU removes Russian oligarchs Usmanov and Fridman from sanctions list
The European Union has decided to remove sanctions on two Russian oligarchs, Alisher Usmanov and Mikhail Fridman, who were sanctioned after Russia's 2022 full-scale invasion of Ukraine. France campaigned for Usmanov's removal citing national security concerns, while Luxembourg pushed for Fridman's delisting. Latvia initially opposed the move but agreed to a compromise that included extending sanctions on nearly 2,600 other individuals and entities for three years, instead of the previous six-month renewal cycle. Ukrainian officials condemned the decision as 'unacceptable,' with Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha stating it sends the wrong signal to Moscow and that 'Moscow is celebrating.' He urged EU member states to impose national sanctions on the two individuals, and Latvia has already announced it will do so. The Kremlin welcomed the prospect of delisting, calling EU sanctions illegal. Reports suggest France's initiative was linked to a prospective prisoner release deal with Azerbaijan. Latvia's change of vote was also tied to France agreeing to start talks on a nuclear deterrence initiative and strengthening its military presence in Latvia.
EU renews Russia sanctions but drops billionaires Usmanov and Fridman, drawing Ukraine anger
The European Union has renewed its sanctions against Russia but removed two prominent Russian billionaires, Alisher Usmanov and Mikhail Fridman, from the sanctions list. This decision has drawn sharp criticism from Ukraine, which expressed anger over the delisting. The move comes as a deadline for the sanctions renewal loomed. Latvian Prime Minister warned that such 'cherry-picking sanctions' risks normalizing Russia's behavior. The delisting was reported by multiple major news outlets including Reuters, BBC, The Washington Post, The Guardian, and Euronews, highlighting the controversy and the differing views within the EU on the approach to sanctions against Russian oligarchs.
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EU lifts sanctions on Russian billionaires Usmanov and Fridman to secure broader Russia sanctions
The European Union has removed Russian billionaires Alisher Usmanov and Mikhail Fridman from its sanctions list, a move driven by the need to prevent a total blockade of Russia sanctions by individual member states. According to an EU diplomat, the decision was made after intense negotiations, with Slovakia initially demanding Usmanov's removal, followed by France—reportedly to secure the release of French citizens detained in Azerbaijan—and Luxembourg insisting on Fridman's inclusion. Latvia initially blocked the move but relented, calling it the lesser of two evils. In exchange, the EU extended sanctions against approximately 3,000 other individuals and entities for 36 months, until September 2029, ending the biannual renewal debate. The article notes that Usmanov had successfully challenged sanctions in court and that Fridman had won a legal case against EU sanctions. The removal risks providing legal arguments for other sanctioned Russians. The exact reasons for Slovakia's support remain unclear, though reports link it to a letter from Turkish President Erdogan advocating for Usmanov.
Read sourceEU Agrees to Remove Russian Oligarchs Alisher Usmanov and Mikhail Fridman from Sanctions List
According to a report by Chinese financial news outlet Cailianshe on September 22, the European Union has agreed to remove Russian oligarchs Alisher Usmanov and Mikhail Fridman from its sanctions list. The decision marks a significant shift in the EU's sanctions policy against Russia, which was imposed following the invasion of Ukraine. Both individuals are prominent Russian billionaires who had been targeted by Western sanctions. The report does not provide further details on the reasons for the removal or the timeline for implementation. This development could signal a potential easing of sanctions or a legal challenge success by the oligarchs.
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