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EU approves exemption for Usmanow and Friedman from sanctions

The EU Council has decided to lift sanctions against Russian oligarchs Alisher Usmanov and Mikhail Friedman while extending other sanctions.

23 September 2026Tagblick Newsdesk

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Archive photo: EU approves exemption for Usmanow and Friedman from sanctions — Archive photoPhoto: Derivative work ( Krassotkin ) from File:Alisher Usmanov podium 2013 Fencing WCH SMS-IN t205959.jpg ( Marie-Lan Nguyen ; CC BY 3.0) and File:Алексей Навальный 2.jpg ( IlyaIsaev ; CC BY-SA 3.0) · Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 3.0

On September 22, 2023, the Council of the European Union decided to remove the sanctions against Russian oligarchs Alisher Usmanov and Mikhail Friedman from the sanctions list. This decision was part of an agreement that also includes a 36-month extension of existing sanctions against other individuals and organizations responsible for undermining the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Ukraine.

According to reports, most EU states approved the resolutions to lift the sanctions. However, Latvia opposed this move, emphasizing that lifting the sanctions is unacceptable. Latvian Prime Minister Andris Kulberg stated that Latvia would have supported the three-year extension of sanctions but not under the condition that Usmanow and Friedman are excluded.

Additionally, Latvia plans to impose national sanctions against Usmanov and Friedman after conceding its original position in a compromise. This comes after Latvia lifted its blockade against suspending sanctions on these two oligarchs, who are accused of undermining Ukraine's territorial integrity.

Media reports indicate that the agreement included a demand for the EU to maintain all existing sanctions against approximately 3,000 individuals and entities linked to Russia for another three years, while the two oligarchs would be removed from the sanctions framework. These so-called considerations aim to strengthen the EU's position and ensure a unified stance among member states.

Reactions to the decision within the EU are mixed. While some states advocated for a relaxation of sanctions, Latvia stressed that lifting sanctions against Usmanov and Friedman is unacceptable. Latvia decided to block the proposal as the only country in the EU Council, indicating ongoing tensions within the Union.

Subsequent discussions within the EU suggest that the divide among member states regarding future actions concerning sanctioned individuals and their support remains. The divergences could significantly impact future negotiations on sanctions.

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