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The European Union has removed Alisher Usmanov and Mikhail Fridman from the sanctions list, and Brussels now fears that other Russian businessmen will seek a similar outcome through diplomatic channels. Of particular concern were the circumstances of the lifting of restrictions on Usmanov, after which Azerbaijan pardoned a French citizen who had been convicted.
This is reported by Euronews.
Usmanov and Fridman had been under EU personal sanctions since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. The restrictions were introduced, among other reasons, due to their ties to the Kremlin and their influence on the Russian economy. Both businessmen denied these grounds and for several years sought to be removed from the sanctions list.
After the removal of personal restrictions, they will again be able to travel to EU countries and access assets to which sanctions previously applied.
The most questions among European diplomats concerned France’s role in excluding Usmanov from the list. In early September Paris supported Slovakia’s demand, which had long advocated lifting sanctions on the Russian billionaire.
A French representative explained this position with national security considerations, but did not disclose details. It later emerged that Paris’s demand was connected with an attempt to secure the release of two French citizens held in Azerbaijan.
The day after Usmanov was removed from the sanctions list, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev pardoned French citizen Martin Ryan. Earlier, he had been sentenced to ten years in prison for espionage.
This sequence of events raised concerns among EU officials and diplomats. They fear that future sanctions decisions against Russian businessmen could be linked to other issues in interstate relations.
One diplomat called the situation an ill-timed moment for the European Union. Another noted that the decision did not please his colleagues.
Brussels also fears that other Russian billionaires may try to use similar agreements to lift personal sanctions. At the same time, claims about the possibility of “buying off” sanctions are a concern for diplomats, not a established fact about specific businessmen.
After the exclusion of Usmanov and Fridman, EU countries agreed to extend personal sanctions against nearly three thousand other individuals and entities for an additional 36 months.
Previously, such restrictions were renewed every six months. This gave member states a regular opportunity to raise questions about changing sanction lists or blocking their extension.
The three-year term was unprecedented for this mechanism. The agreement to introduce it was made amid debates over the exclusion of two Russian billionaires.
Disagreements among EU member states also concern other sanctions against Russia. During negotiations, some countries sought exemptions or opposed restrictions in certain areas.
In particular, Bulgaria blocked sanctions against Patriarch Kirill. Germany and Portugal opposed restrictions on the import of Russian fish, and Greece secured an exception for the transportation of Russian liquefied natural gas.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said there is a need to continue pressuring Russia. At the same time, she stressed that the European Union must first and foremost ensure enforcement of existing sanctions.
In October, member states are to consider expanding the sanctions list by more than 1600 individuals and entities. If such an expansion is agreed, it could become the largest since the start of Russia’s full-scale war against Ukraine.
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