EU removes sanctions on Russian billionaires Fridman and Usmanov
The European Union lifted its travel ban and unfroze assets for Mikhail Fridman and Alisher Usmanov on Sept. 22. Reuters-linked reporting says France connected its position on Usmanov to the release of two French citizens held in Azerbaijan, while the bloc extended sanctions on about 3,000 others.
By DoomRadar · Published on DoomRadar . Updated .
Based on two sources with available article excerpts. Source-linked claims are not independent confirmation.
What happened
The EU removed Mikhail Fridman and Alisher Usmanov from its sanctions list, lifting their travel bans and releasing previously frozen assets on Sept. 22. [2]
References for this detail (1)
- Significant dissatisfaction brews over the lifting of EU sanctions on Russian billionairesbnn-news.com · Recorded source date: Sep 24, 2026, 10:17 AM UTC
The two men had been sanctioned after Russia’s full-scale invasion because of their alleged close relationships with the Kremlin and roles in Russia’s economy; they challenged the measures for years. [1]
References for this detail (1)
- EU Faces Questions Over Decision to Drop Sanctions on Two Russian Billionaires - Novinite.comnovinite.com · Recorded source date: Sep 24, 2026, 12:02 PM UTC
Three diplomats told Reuters that France privately linked its position on Usmanov to Azerbaijan’s use of the sanctions as leverage over two French citizens held there. [2]
References for this detail (1)
- Significant dissatisfaction brews over the lifting of EU sanctions on Russian billionairesbnn-news.com · Recorded source date: Sep 24, 2026, 10:17 AM UTC
The EU extended sanctions for three years against about 3,000 other individuals and entities, according to Reuters-linked reporting. [2]
References for this detail (1)
- Significant dissatisfaction brews over the lifting of EU sanctions on Russian billionairesbnn-news.com · Recorded source date: Sep 24, 2026, 10:17 AM UTC
Context from the sources
France joined Slovakia in seeking Usmanov’s removal, while Latvia initially blocked the plan and later abstained, according to the reporting. [2]
EU officials expressed concern that the decision could set a precedent and complicate future sanctions packages, according to Euronews reporting cited by Novinite. [1]
Explore the sources and reporting timeline
2 source links · 2 domains
These counts describe the references, not independent confirmations. Different outlets can repeat the same original report.
Source timeline
Oldest to newest among the available source dates, not a chronology of the incident. Article publication dates come from the source; other recorded dates may reflect when a link was found.
- [2] Significant dissatisfaction brews over the lifting of EU sanctions on Russian billionairesbnn-news.comReferenced for: detail 1, detail 3, detail 4
- [1] EU Faces Questions Over Decision to Drop Sanctions on Two Russian Billionaires - Novinite.comnovinite.comReferenced for: detail 2
What this could mean for you
EU sanctions coordination could become slower or more contested.
Member states may disagree over whether individual sanctions should be changed for national-security or consular reasons.
Reported basis: [2][1] · The possible effect is interpretation.
Depends on: Similar disputes arise during future sanctions negotiations.
Possible time frame: months, if those conditions hold.
Businesses and financial institutions may need to reassess restrictions involving the two delisted individuals.
Removing travel bans and releasing frozen assets changes the compliance status described in the reporting.
Reported basis: [2] · The possible effect is interpretation.
Depends on: The relevant EU legal changes are implemented across national systems.
Possible time frame: days, if those conditions hold.
Possible consequences, not a forecast. Their relevance depends on your location and the conditions above.
For your country
Choose a country to check how this event could affect you.
What changes the outlook
Risk increases if…
Further member-state disputes delay agreement on future Russia-related sanctions packages.
Additional sanctions are used as leverage in unrelated bilateral disputes.
Pressure eases if…
EU institutions provide a clear legal explanation for the delistings.
Member states maintain the reported three-year extension covering about 3,000 other individuals and entities.
Still unclear
The sources do not establish the full legal reasoning behind the delistings or the precise assets released.
The alleged connection between the Usmanov sanctions and the French detainees is attributed to diplomats and is not independently established in the excerpts.
Market implications
Market impact
Sources (2)
References for the reported details. Separate links do not necessarily mean independent confirmation.
Available excerpt
France's successful effort to remove Uzbek-Russian oligarch Alisher Usmanov from the European Union's sanctions list has left EU officials and diplomats concerned about the precedent…A short excerpt from our source record; open the original for the full article.
Available excerpt
The European Union is facing growing discontent over the lifting of sanctions against Russian billionaires Mikhail Fridman and Alisher Usmanov; some have pointed out that…A short excerpt from our source record; open the original for the full article.
AI-assisted analysis · . Based on linked headlines and available excerpts. Methodology · Report an error.