Archive · 23 Sep 2026
EU Sanctions Rollback on Russian Billionaires Triggers Ukraine Backlash
The European Union removed two Russian billionaires from its sanctions list.
Sanctions had frozen their assets and restricted their travel.
France pushed for Alisher Usmanov’s removal, and Luxembourg then sought similar treatment for Mikhail Fridman.
Diplomats said France was also under pressure because French citizens were being held in Azerbaijan.
Azerbaijan later pardoned one French citizen, calling the action humanitarian.
Ukraine and some European countries criticized the EU’s decision.
They feared it sent a weak message while Russia is still fighting Ukraine.
The EU said it had renewed broader sanctions against about 3,000 people and organizations.
It also said it was preparing additional measures against Russia.
The EU agreed to lift asset freezes and travel bans on Alisher Usmanov and Mikhail Fridman.
France pushed for Usmanov’s delisting, while Luxembourg sought the same treatment for Fridman.
Diplomats said Azerbaijan’s detention of French citizens influenced France’s position, which Paris linked to national security.
The EU renewed sanctions on about 3,000 people and organizations connected to Russia for three years.
Ukraine and several EU members warned the decision could weaken pressure on Russia and encourage future coercion.
- Who
- The European Union, France, Ukraine, Alisher Usmanov, Mikhail Fridman, and other EU member states.
- What
- The EU lifted sanctions on Usmanov and Fridman while renewing broader Russia-related sanctions for three years.
- When
- The decision was made Tuesday; backlash was reported on Wednesday, Sept. 23.
- Where
- The decision and diplomatic disagreements centered on the European Union, with related developments involving France and Azerbaijan.
- Why
- France cited national security, while diplomats linked its position to French citizens held in Azerbaijan; Luxembourg then sought equal treatment for Fridman.
EU and French Justifications
Ukraine and Critics’ Objections
Reason for delisting
EU and French Justifications
France said its push to remove Usmanov was connected to national security, while diplomats said other governments accepted it alongside the three-year renewal of broader sanctions.
Ukraine and Critics’ Objections
Several diplomats questioned France’s explanations and said the decision appeared to follow pressure linked to French citizens held in Azerbaijan.
Effect on Russia policy
EU and French Justifications
The EU emphasized that it had renewed sanctions on about 3,000 people and organizations and was preparing further measures against Russia.
Ukraine and Critics’ Objections
Ukraine and critics argued that removing two prominent names weakened the credibility of sanctions and sent a damaging signal during the war.
Risk of future pressure
EU and French Justifications
Some diplomats hoped the three-year renewal would prevent similar demands because the sanctions would not soon be up for renewal.
Ukraine and Critics’ Objections
Critics, including Bill Browder, warned that the decision could encourage sanctioned oligarchs to cooperate with authoritarian governments to gain leverage for delistings.
- Sanctions lifted
- Asset freezes and travel bans on Alisher Usmanov and Mikhail Fridman
- Broader sanctions renewal
- Measures covering about 3,000 people and organizations were renewed for three years
- French position
- France pushed to remove Usmanov from the sanctions list and linked its stance to national security
- Azerbaijan development
- President Ilham Aliyev pardoned a French national jailed for espionage
- Luxembourg’s action
- Luxembourg sought the same treatment for Fridman, who launched a $16-billion claim against it
- EU response
- The EU said it was preparing additional sanctions targeting Russia’s military-industrial complex and shadow fleet