EU removes oligarchs Usmanov and Fridman from Russia sanctions list
The EU delisted two Russian billionaires while extending the wider sanctions regime, in a compromise reached under deadline pressure that Ukraine and some critics call a bad precedent.
What happened
The EU agreed to remove Russian billionaires Alisher Usmanov and Mikhail Fridman from its sanctions list, while extending restrictions on nearly 3,000 other individuals and companies linked to Russia's war in Ukraine for another three years.4893
The decision came after difficult negotiations, as EU sanctions require unanimous approval from all 27 member states, with an end-of-Tuesday deadline looming to preserve the wider Russia blacklist.48
Ireland's EU presidency described the outcome as 'a difficult compromise' for the bloc.8
Kyiv criticized the delisting, with reports describing the move as 'shameful and unjustifiable' and warning it sends Moscow the wrong signals.56
What's agreed
Reported consistently by outlets in more than one region.
- The EU removed Alisher Usmanov and Mikhail Fridman from its Russia sanctions list.123456789
- The EU extended sanctions on roughly 3,000 other individuals and entities linked to Russia's war in Ukraine for another three years.3489
- Reaching the decision required unanimous agreement among EU member states and followed difficult negotiations.48
Where accounts differ
Each account is attributed to who makes it. We do not judge between them.
Which countries drove the push to delist the two oligarchs
RT, citing a France-Latvia dispute
A feud between France and Latvia over Usmanov's status preceded the delisting.1
Deutsche Welle
France and Luxembourg were behind the sanctions exemptions for Usmanov and Fridman.5
Latvian PM Andris Kulbergs, via Ukrainska Pravda
Latvia was the only EU country to oppose lifting the sanctions on Usmanov and Fridman.2
Level of support among EU member states for delisting
How it's framed
What each perspective puts first, based on headlines and summaries.
| Perspective | How it reads | What it puts first |
|---|---|---|
| Russian state mediaRussia & Eurasia | Coverage frames the story around internal EU disagreement and procedural friction, presenting the delisting as a story of European infighting rather than a substantive shift in sanctions policy.13 | France-Latvia feud, EU discord, procedural outcome |
| European public broadcasters and UK pressEurope | Outlets emphasize Ukrainian objections and the oligarchs' ties to President Putin, framing the delisting as controversial and potentially harmful to the sanctions regime's credibility.567 | Kyiv's anger, ties to Putin, wrong signal to Moscow, shameful decision |
| UK and Irish-linked reporting on EU processEurope | Coverage focuses on the mechanics of EU consensus-building, describing the outcome as a difficult compromise reached under deadline pressure despite limited enthusiasm among member states.84 | unanimity requirement, deadline pressure, difficult compromise, limited support |
| Independent Russian-focused outletsEurope | Coverage highlights criticism from Russian opposition figures, framing the decision as damaging to anti-corruption efforts and setting a troubling precedent.7 | opposition criticism, precedent concerns, anti-corruption stance |
What the coverage leaves out
- None of the outlets reviewed explained in detail the legal or evidentiary grounds cited for removing Usmanov and Fridman specifically, as opposed to others remaining on the list.
- None of the outlets reviewed reported a French or Luxembourgish government statement directly explaining their position on the delisting.
- None of the outlets reviewed detailed the specific asset or travel restrictions that will be lifted as a result of delisting.
Why it matters
EU sanctions decisions require unanimous approval from all 27 member states, meaning a single country's objection can block or force changes to a package.4
The delisting occurred alongside a three-year rollover of the broader Russia sanctions regime covering nearly 3,000 individuals and entities tied to the war in Ukraine.3489
Sources (9)
Every outlet we drew on, grouped by where it is based. Read the originals for the full reporting.
Europe
- 2Ukrainska PravdaUAPrivate
Latvian PM says Latvia was only EU country to oppose lifting of sanctions on Russian oligarchs
- 4France 24FRPublic broadcaster
- 5Deutsche WelleDEPublic broadcaster
EU drops sanctions for Russian oligarchs Usmanov and Fridman
- 6BBC NewsGBPublic broadcaster
Ukraine anger as EU removes Russian oligarchs from sanctions list
- 7MeduzaLVIndependent
- 8The GuardianGBPrivate
EU removes two oligarchs from Russia sanctions list as deadline looms
- 9The Moscow TimesNLIndependent
EU Removes Billionaires Usmanov and Fridman From Sanctions List
Russia & Eurasia
- 1RTRUState-controlled
- 3TASSRUState-controlled
EU ambassadors agree on historic 3-year extension of Russia sanctions — Reuters