The European Union has opted to remove Russian billionaires Alisher Usmanov and Mikhail Fridman from its list of individually sanctioned entities, even as it extends the overall sanctions framework against Russia for another six years. This decision, announced on September 22, comes as the EU Council agreed to prolong measures targeting over 3,000 individuals and entities considered a threat to Ukraine’s territorial integrity until September 22, 2029.
The sanctions, initially imposed following Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, include asset freezes, travel bans, and prohibitions on making funds available to those listed. The EU’s decision to drop Usmanov and Fridman from this list has drawn criticism from Ukraine. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha labeled the move unacceptable, arguing that the conditions warranting the sanctions have not changed.
The EU’s move to extend the sanctions for a longer duration marks a shift from the previous practice of shorter renewal intervals. This adjustment aims to provide greater stability to the sanctions framework as the bloc continues to apply significant pressure on Russia over its actions in Ukraine.
Despite the removal of Usmanov and Fridman, the EU maintains its extensive individual and economic restrictions against Russia. The ongoing sanctions signal the EU’s commitment to addressing the challenges posed by the conflict in Ukraine and its impact on regional security.