Brussels removed Alisher Usmanov and Mikhail Fridman from its sanctions list, but extended the measures against another 3,000 individuals and entities for three years
The European Union agreed this Tuesday to remove billionaires Alisher Usmanov and Mikhail Fridman from its sanctions list against Russia, as part of a controversial deal that will allow the restrictive measures to remain in place for three years against the other nearly 3,000 individuals and entities sanctioned by the bloc.
The agreement was reached by EU ambassadors after intense negotiations and a process that was on the verge of failing due to differences among member states. Sanctions against Russia require unanimity to be renewed, but Latvia ultimately abstained, allowing the agreement to be approved through a written procedure.
The decision represents a significant modification of the sanctions policy adopted by Brussels following the Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Usmanov and Fridman had been included in the European lists at that time, which involve asset freezes, financial restrictions, and travel bans within the European Union.
The European Union excluded two businessmen from sanctions against Russia amid strong criticism from some countries
The agreement stipulates that both businessmen will be removed from the list in exchange for an exceptional three-year renewal of sanctions against the rest of the individuals and entities, instead of the usual six-month renewal. European diplomats described the arrangement as a compromise aimed at preserving the overall sanctions regime in light of the differences regarding the two businessmen.
The issue of Usmanov had caused particular tension within the bloc. In early September, France surprised other member states by pushing for his removal from the list, citing national security reasons. Luxembourg subsequently called for similar treatment for Fridman, who is involved in a legal dispute with that country and has filed a lawsuit for about 16 billion dollars.
Latvia was the last country to resist the agreement. Riga had previously supported the continuation of sanctions against Fridman and his Russian-Latvian business partner Petr Aven, partly due to their relationship. Aven lost Latvia's highest civilian honor in 2022 after authorities questioned his stance on the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
Latvian Prime Minister Andris Kulbergs stated that his government will consider imposing national sanctions against Usmanov and Fridman, despite having abstained in the European vote. As part of the negotiations, France also agreed to initiate talks with Latvia about its possible inclusion in a French nuclear deterrence initiative.
The exclusion of Alisher Usmanov was a requirement made by France, which cited among the reasons, issues related to national security
The decision generated a strong reaction from Ukraine. Its Foreign Minister, Andrii Sybiha, described the removal of both businessmen as a "shameful and unjustifiable" decision and asserted that Moscow would interpret it as a victory. Sybiha urged European countries to maintain national restrictions against the two businessmen despite their removal from the EU list.
The case also exposed the diplomatic tensions surrounding France. According to European diplomats, Azerbaijan pressured Paris to achieve Usmanov's removal from the sanctions. At least two French citizens remain detained in Azerbaijani territory, and diplomatic sources indicated that France may have considered that Baku was using the businessman’s case as a pressure mechanism.
This accusation was rejected by Azerbaijan. President Ilham Aliyev had previously defended Usmanov's removal from European sanctions, although it is not publicly clear what the reason for his support was.
The final negotiations included high-level meetings in various European capitals and contacts on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York. The outcome allowed for the preservation of sanctions against the vast majority of the targets included on the list, although at the cost of removing two high-profile businessmen, a decision that drew criticism from Ukraine and exposed the differences among European governments regarding the future of the sanctions policy against Moscow.
The government of Azerbaijan was accused by European officials of pressuring France to push for the lifting of sanctions on Usmanov
