The European Union has agreed to a significant overhaul of its sanctions regime against Russia. Individual sanctions targeting around 3,000 people and organizations linked to Russia will now be extended for 36 months, replacing the previous practice of regular, short-term renewals. However, as part of a compromise deal, billionaires Alisher Usmanov and Mikhail Fridman are set to be removed from the sanctions list.
This agreement was reached after challenging negotiations among EU member states. Latvia, initially opposed to the compromise, ultimately abstained from the vote, allowing the motion to pass.
Sanctions Extended to Three Years
The EU’s individual sanctions target persons and companies identified as threatening Ukraine’s territorial integrity, sovereignty, or independence.
These measures primarily involve freezing assets within the EU, prohibiting the provision of funds to sanctioned entities, and banning entry or transit through EU territory for those listed.
Until now, most individual sanctions were renewed every six months.
The new deal will extend this period to 36 months, significantly reducing the frequency of politically sensitive discussions about their continuation.
Over the summer, the EU continued adopting additional measures against Moscow. Aktualizované.sk previously reported that talks on new sanctions faced complications due to objections from several member states.
Usmanov and Fridman Removed from the List
The price for the three-year sanction extension is politically controversial.
Two high-profile businessmen—Alisher Usmanov and Mikhail Fridman—will be taken off the EU sanctions list.
Usmanov was originally sanctioned after the Russian invasion of Ukraine began in 2022, cited by the EU for his close ties to Russian President Vladimir Putin and his major business interests in the Russian economy.
Fridman was also sanctioned in 2022, with measures including asset freezes and travel restrictions.
Both men have legally challenged the sanctions against them.
France, Slovakia, and Luxembourg Pushed for Changes
According to diplomatic sources, France and Slovakia were instrumental in advocating for Usmanov’s removal from the list.
France justified its position on the basis of national interests. Diplomatic circles also discussed the broader relationship between Paris and Azerbaijan, though Azerbaijan itself denied influencing France on the matter.
Luxembourg, for its part, supported Fridman’s removal. Fridman is involved in a legal dispute demanding billions in compensation from Luxembourg.
To maintain sanctions on thousands of other individuals and entities, a compromise was reached: Usmanov and Fridman would be dropped from the list, but the overall sanction regime would last significantly longer.
Latvia Initially Opposed the Compromise
The strongest opposition came from Latvia.
Latvian Prime Minister Andris Kulbergs argued that, while the war in Ukraine continues, Europe should not lessen pressure on individuals linked to Russia.
While Riga supported the extension of sanctions to 36 months, it objected to the removal of Usmanov and Fridman as the price for consensus.
Ultimately, according to Reuters, Latvia abstained from the vote, thereby allowing other member states to adopt the compromise.
Ukraine Opposes Dropping the Oligarchs
Ukrainian officials have also been critical of the planned changes.
Kyiv has consistently called for the European Union to increase, not ease, pressure on Russia through sanctions.
Ukrainian leaders have thus described the removal of prominent businessmen from the sanctions list as sending the wrong message to Moscow.
Despite this, the scope of sanctions remains extensive. Measures continue to target Russian officials, business leaders, banks, companies, the arms industry, and entities identified by the EU as supporting Russia’s military aggression.
Pressure also extends to the energy sector. Sanctioned Russian “shadow fleet” tankers have begun altering their routes to avoid the English Channel.
Economic Sanctions Are a Separate Framework
The new agreement concerns primarily individual sanctions lists.
These should not be confused with the broader economic sanctions against Russia.
In June 2026, the EU extended economic sanctions against the Russian Federation until 31 July 2027.
These include restrictions on trade, finance, energy, technology, bans on certain transactions with Russian banks, and measures aimed at Russia’s shadow fleet.
The current decision does not mean the end or fundamental weakening of the EU’s overall sanctions system.
It primarily changes the way the next three years will be handled for thousands of sanctioned people and organizations.
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Extending sanctions to three years could reduce the risk of individual member states leveraging the need for unanimous approval every six months to push through their own demands.
However, the cases of Usmanov and Fridman show deep divisions among EU countries over sanctions policy, and that decisions about individuals can have significant impacts on the function of the entire regime.
This article was translated from the original Slovak version with the assistance of AI.
