EU envoys agreed on September 22, 2026, to remove Russian billionaires Alisher Usmanov and Mikhail Fridman from the sanctions list, a decision that underscores the selective application of justice within the European Union's power structures. Latvia dropped its veto, clearing the way for the delisting, even as the bloc renewed broader Russia-related sanctions on approximately 3,000 targets for three more years.
France had pressed for Usmanov’s removal, citing "security grounds," while Luxembourg advocated for similar treatment for other sanctioned individuals. This move stands out as a rare exception within the EU's extensive sanctions regime, highlighting the political flexibility afforded to powerful interests.
Capital's Privilege, Europe's Borders
Politico reported that the decision might be linked to a broader diplomatic deal, potentially involving the release of French nationals detained in Azerbaijan, a detail also noted by the Financial Times. This account highlighted concerns among some lawmakers that sanctions could become bargaining tools, setting a precedent for using restrictive measures as leverage in negotiations. The Reuters account focused on the formal sanctions process, including the renewal of the wider package and the resolution of Latvia’s veto.
The EU's capacity to navigate complex diplomatic maneuvers for the benefit of specific individuals, citing "security grounds" or "broader diplomatic deals," reveals the arbitrary nature of its power. This same arbitrary power underpins the construction of Fortress Europe, where human rights and international law are routinely bypassed for the vulnerable, while exceptions are carved out for capital and political expediency.
The Architecture of Exclusion
This flexibility, extended to powerful individuals and geopolitical interests, starkly contrasts with the rigid, often inhumane, enforcement of policies against those seeking safety at Europe's borders. The EU's bureaucratic machinery, capable of both broad enforcement and specific exemptions, consistently prioritizes economic and political leverage over universal human dignity. It's a system where capital flows freely, but human lives are criminalised for crossing the same lines.
The delisting of these billionaires, driven by political and security considerations, exposes the EU's double standard. While powerful individuals can navigate political channels for their freedom, the same flexibility is systematically denied to those seeking refuge. The EU's capacity to make exceptions for the powerful stands in stark contrast to its rigid enforcement against the vulnerable, revealing the true priorities of the European border regime.