EU envoys agreed on Sept. 22, 2026, to remove Russian billionaires Alisher Usmanov and Mikhail Fridman from the sanctions list after Latvia dropped its veto, raising questions about the consistency and strategic coherence of Europe's restrictive measures against Russia. The decision came even as the bloc renewed sanctions on around 3,000 other targets for three more years.
The delisting of two prominent businessmen stands out as a rare exception in a sanctions regime that has otherwise remained intact since Russia's invasion of Ukraine. France pressed for Usmanov's removal on security grounds, while Luxembourg called for similar treatment for other sanctioned individuals. The move exposes the difficulty of maintaining a unified European approach when individual member states pursue different strategic priorities.
The Diplomatic Bargain
Politico reported that the decision could be tied to a broader diplomatic deal, potentially involving the release of French nationals detained in Azerbaijan, citing a Financial Times report. If accurate, that account suggests sanctions are being used as bargaining tools rather than purely punitive measures tied to specific conduct. Some lawmakers have expressed concern that this sets a precedent for using restrictive measures as leverage in negotiations unrelated to the original rationale for sanctions.
The Reuters account focused on the formal sanctions process, the renewal of the wider package, and the resolution of Latvia's veto. Latvia's agreement to drop its objection cleared the way for the delisting, but the reasons for that reversal weren't publicly detailed.
What This Reveals About EU Sanctions
The episode illustrates the challenges of managing sanctions by consensus among 27 member states with divergent interests. France's security concerns and Luxembourg's calls for broader relief suggest that national capitals are reassessing the costs and benefits of maintaining sweeping sanctions lists years into the conflict. The fact that two high-profile oligarchs can be removed while thousands of other targets remain suggests the process is driven as much by bilateral diplomacy as by any unified European strategy.
The broader sanctions package was renewed for three more years, covering around 3,000 individuals and entities. That renewal reflects continued European commitment to maintaining pressure on Russia and its allies. But the simultaneous delisting of Usmanov and Fridman undercuts the message of unity and resolve.
Why This Matters:
The decision to delist two Russian billionaires while renewing sanctions on thousands of others exposes the fragility of European consensus on one of the bloc's most important foreign policy tools. If sanctions can be lifted as part of side deals unrelated to their original purpose, the entire regime risks losing credibility as a strategic instrument. Member states must balance legitimate security concerns and diplomatic flexibility against the need for consistency and accountability. The precedent set here could complicate future efforts to maintain a unified European stance on Russia, particularly as the war drags on and national interests diverge. Sanctions work only when they're predictable, transparent, and tied to clear conditions for removal.