The European Union has decided to remove Russian billionaires Alisher Usmanov and Mikhail Fridman from its sanctions list while prolonging restrictions against over 3,000 other individuals and entities linked to threats against Ukraine. The EU Council extended these sanctions for an additional 36 months, with the new expiration date set for September 22, 2029.
This decision emerged from the latest review of the EU’s sanctions regime, which had initially targeted Usmanov and Fridman following Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. The measures in place include asset freezes, travel bans, and a prohibition on providing financial resources to those listed.
Ukraine has expressed strong disapproval of this move. Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha criticized the EU’s decision to lift sanctions on Usmanov and Fridman, arguing that the original reasons for their inclusion on the list remain unchanged.
The EU’s decision to extend sanctions for a longer period is part of its strategy to enhance the stability of its sanctions framework. Previously, the sanctions were renewed more frequently. The bloc continues to impose a comprehensive set of individual and economic sanctions on Russia due to its ongoing conflict in Ukraine.