Brussels, 23 September, (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – European Union sanctions covering more than 3,000 Russia-linked individuals and entities have been extended for three years after member states reached a contentious agreement that also removed billionaires Alisher Usmanov and Mikhail Fridman from the list. The EU Russia blacklist will now remain in force until 22 September 2029, significantly extending the previous renewal cycle.
Key points
- EU restrictive measures covering more than 3,000 individuals and entities have been renewed until September 2029.
- Alisher Usmanov and Mikhail Fridman were removed from the sanctions list following difficult negotiations among member states.
- Ukraine condemned the delistings, while Latvia and Estonia indicated they would pursue national restrictions.
EU Russia blacklist extended until 2029
The Council of the European Union confirmed on 22 September that restrictive measures targeting people and organisations considered responsible for undermining or threatening Ukraine’s territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence would continue for another 36 months.
The measures include asset freezes, travel restrictions on listed individuals and a prohibition on making funds or other economic resources available to sanctioned people and organisations.
The Council said that, following its review, it had decided not to renew the listings of three individuals and one entity and removed another three deceased people. Reuters identified Usmanov and Fridman as the two prominent businessmen removed following negotiations among EU governments.
France had pushed for Usmanov’s removal, while Luxembourg supported delisting Fridman, Reuters reported. Latvia initially resisted the compromise before abstaining, allowing the agreement to proceed.
Ukraine condemns Usmanov and Fridman decision
Ukraine strongly criticised the removal of the two businessmen.
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said after the agreement: “The decision to remove Usmanov and Fridman from the sanctions list is shameful and unjustifiable.”
He added: “Moscow is celebrating because it got what it wanted: a sense of impunity, the humiliation of the EU and division among Europeans.”
Sybiha urged individual EU governments to impose their own national restrictions on the two men.
Estonian Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna also opposed the delistings, saying: “Estonia did not support lifting sanctions on these two prominent Russian businessmen, as they continue to support the aggressor and contribute to its aggression.” Estonia abstained and said it would impose national sanctions.
Sanctions remain central to EU pressure on Russia
The EU first introduced measures connected with Russia’s actions against Ukraine in 2014 and expanded them substantially after Russia launched its full-scale invasion in February 2022.
The bloc says the sanctions are designed to weaken Russia’s economic capacity to wage war, restrict energy revenues, limit access to critical technologies and markets and target its military-industrial complex.
The latest agreement is significant because individual listings had previously required renewal every six months. Extending them for three years reduces the frequency of negotiations in which disagreements over particular names can put the wider sanctions list at risk.
Why the sanctions compromise matters
The agreement preserves restrictions against thousands of individuals and entities while exposing divisions within Europe over how individual sanctions should be handled.
The controversy also demonstrates the political difficulty of maintaining a sanctions regime requiring agreement among EU governments. Ukraine’s objections centre on its concern that removing prominent individuals sends the wrong signal while the war continues.
The EU Russia blacklist nevertheless remains extensive, with more than 3,000 listings subject to measures including asset freezes and restrictions on access to EU funds.
What happens next?
The renewed restrictions are scheduled to remain in force until 22 September 2029, unless the Council changes them before then.
Latvia and Estonia have indicated that they will pursue national sanctions against Usmanov and Fridman following their removal from the EU list. Other EU measures targeting Russia continue separately under their respective legal frameworks and renewal schedules.
