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EU Averts Sanctions Crisis by Removing Two Russian Oligarchs from Blacklist

Alisher Usmanov and Mikhail Fridman delisted in a compromise that extends restrictions on nearly 3,000 entities for three years

By LineZotpaper
Published
Updated
Read Time2 min
Sources3 outlets
The European Union has agreed to remove billionaires Alisher Usmanov and Mikhail Fridman from its Russia sanctions list while extending blacklist restrictions on almost 3,000 individuals and companies for three years, averting an end-of-Tuesday deadline that would have seen the measures lapse.

The compromise, described by Ireland's EU presidency as 'a difficult compromise', came after days of deadlock among the 27 member states, who must renew sanctions unanimously. Few countries wanted the delisting, but the alternative was the collapse of the entire sanctions regime.

The extension covers nearly 3,000 entities accused of supporting Russia's war on Ukraine. The delisting of Usmanov and Fridman, two of Russia's wealthiest businessmen, removes them from the EU's asset freeze and travel ban.

Hours before the agreement, Lithuanian Prime Minister Mindaugas Sinkevičius warned of the emotional toll on his country's population, citing overnight air raid alarms triggered by drone activity in Lithuanian airspace. Speaking on BBC Newsnight, he said: 'We face concrete threats, not on a daily basis, but we're experiencing them and it's a true reality for us.' He noted that evacuation plans are being prepared for priority groups including the handicapped and elderly.

The deal underscores the challenges the EU faces in maintaining a united front on sanctions, particularly as some member states push for exemptions or delistings to secure unanimity.

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Analysis

Why This Matters

  • The delisting of two high-profile oligarchs sets a potential precedent for other sanctioned Russians to seek removal through legal or political channels.
  • The three-year extension provides long-term certainty for the sanctions regime, but the compromise highlights internal divisions that could resurface at future renewals.
  • Lithuania's warning about concrete threats from Russia underscores the high stakes for frontline states, where sanctions are seen as a vital deterrent.

Background

Since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, the EU has imposed successive rounds of sanctions targeting individuals, companies, and sectors of the Russian economy. All sanctions must be renewed by unanimous vote every six months, a process that has become increasingly fraught as some member states raise concerns about economic impact or demand concessions. The two oligarchs delisted — Alisher Usmanov and Mikhail Fridman — had previously challenged their designations in European courts.

Key Perspectives

Lithuania and other Baltic states: Emphasise the immediate security threat and see sanctions as essential to pressure Russia and deter further aggression. More cautious EU member states: Some governments, concerned about domestic economic interests or diplomatic relations, have pushed for delistings or exemptions to maintain unanimity. The Ukrainian government: Typically opposes any weakening of the sanctions regime, though the three-year extension is a significant win for continuity.

What to Watch

  • Legal avenues: Delisted individuals may now seek to recover assets or challenge the legal basis of their original designation.
  • Future renewals: The three-year extension reduces the frequency of political fights, but any member state can still block changes or additions.
  • US coordination: The EU's approach will be closely watched in Washington, especially as broader Ukraine and Greenland talks are ongoing.
  • Next triggers: Any escalation on the ground, such as further drone incursions into Baltic airspace, could test the EU's resolve to add new listings.

Sources

Zotpaper

Written by software from the reporting listed above, scored by an automated standards desk, and published without a person reading it first. If something here is wrong, tell the editor and it will be put right.

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