Brussels, 24 September, (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – European Union governments have extended restrictive measures against about 3,000 Russian and Russia-linked individuals and entities for three years after negotiations over several individual listings. The agreement keeps the main EU Russia sanctions targeting those accused of undermining Ukraine’s territorial integrity in place until 22 September 2029.
EU sanctions extended for three years
The Council of the EU confirmed on 22 September that the measures would be prolonged for another 36 months. The previous practice had involved renewals every six months, making the three-year agreement a significant change to the sanctions timetable.
The restrictions include asset freezes and travel bans, while EU citizens and companies are prohibited from making funds available to listed individuals and entities.
The Council said three individual listings and one entity listing were not renewed during its review. Three deceased people were also removed.
Usmanov and Fridman removed from sanctions list
Reuters reported that Russian billionaires Alisher Usmanov and Mikhail Fridman were among those removed following negotiations between member states.
France had pushed for Usmanov’s removal, while Luxembourg supported removing Fridman. Latvia initially opposed the compromise but eventually abstained, allowing the wider sanctions agreement to proceed.
The negotiations highlighted continuing differences between EU governments over individual sanctions even as they maintained the wider restrictions against Russia.
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha criticised the decision to remove the businessmen, telling Reuters:
“This is shameful.”
Sybiha called on individual countries to consider national measures against the two men following their removal from the EU list.
EU maintains economic pressure on Russia
The extension comes two months after the EU adopted its 21st sanctions package against Russia.
That package added 48 individuals and 170 entities, targeted another 41 vessels associated with Russia’s shadow fleet and imposed further restrictions on banks, cryptocurrency platforms, energy operations and military-related exports.
EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said when the package was adopted:
“With each round of sanctions, we squeeze Russia’s economy and its capacity to prolong its illegal war.”
Kallas said sanctions were intended to increase pressure on Moscow to enter negotiations aimed at ending the war.
Sanctions have expanded since Russia invaded Ukraine
The EU dramatically expanded sanctions after Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
Successive measures have targeted Russian energy revenues, banks, trade, technology, military production and individuals or organisations the EU considers connected to the war effort.
The 21st package adopted in July was the latest major expansion, with the Council describing its 218 new individual and entity listings as the largest such batch in four years.
Three-year extension reduces renewal disputes
Extending EU Russia sanctions until 2029 means member states will not have to renegotiate these individual listings every six months.
That could reduce recurring political disputes over renewal, although individual sanctions can still face legal challenges or subsequent review.
For Ukraine, the agreement means restrictions remain on roughly 3,000 individuals and entities despite the removal of a small number of names
EU sanctions remain open to further changes
The current measures are scheduled to remain in force until 22 September 2029.
The EU can still adopt additional measures against Russia if its 27 member states reach the necessary agreement. Brussels has said it intends to maintain and increase economic pressure on Moscow while continuing political, financial, military and diplomatic support for Ukraine.
