France and Slovakia remove Usmanov and Fridman from EU sanctions

September 21, 2026 at 08:46 PM2 min

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France and Slovakia secured the delisting of Russian oligarchs Alisher Usmanov and Mikhail Fridman from EU sanctions in a last-ditch compromise. The agreement, expected to be formally approved by 8pm Monday, extends the sanctions regime from six to 36 months. The deal came despite anger from eastern EU states that it sets a dangerous precedent.

Key Facts

Alisher Usmanov and Mikhail Fridman have been under EU sanctions since 2022.
The current EU sanctions listings were set to expire on Tuesday.
In exchange for the delistings, Paris and Bratislava agreed to extend the sanctions regime from six to 36 months.
France pushed for Usmanov's delisting in a move linked to efforts to secure the release of two French nationals held in Azerbaijan.
Eastern flank countries demanded that sanctions for almost 3,000 other individuals and entities be extended for three years.

The Delisting Deal

France and Slovakia succeeded in removing Alisher Usmanov and Mikhail Fridman from EU sanctions in a last-ditch compromise to avoid thousands of Kremlin-linked individuals being delisted. The agreement is expected to be formally approved by 8pm on Monday. The current EU sanctions listings, which must be endorsed by all 27 countries, were set to expire on Tuesday. Both individuals have been under EU sanctions since 2022. In exchange for the delistings, Paris and Bratislava agreed to extend the current sanctions regime from six to 36 months.

National Interests and Diplomatic Anger

France specifically pushed for Usmanov's delisting in a move that diplomats said is linked to efforts to secure the release of two French nationals held in Azerbaijan through a prisoner exchange shrouded in secrecy. Slovakia, which has long demanded Fridman's delisting, demanded that the billionaire be removed from EU sanctions if Usmanov was also removed. Diplomats expressed deep anger over France using EU sanctions to pursue a national foreign policy objective. One EU diplomat said, "It gives the impression that you can blackmail your way off listings." A second EU diplomat added, "This sets a dangerous precedent allowing narrow national interest to override common sanctions against Russia at a moment the war enters a critical moment."

Eastern Flank Response

Countries on the bloc's eastern flank were concerned that delisting the oligarchs would send the wrong message to Russia. In return, they demanded that the sanctions for almost 3,000 other individuals and entities should be extended for three years. Diplomats previously hinted that another bargain could emerge that would have tightened EU visa restrictions on Russian nationals in return for easing restrictions on Usmanov. In July, France and Italy effectively blocked an EU visa ban on Russians who have fought in Ukraine. Diplomats from eastern flank countries believe the Usmanov dispute could now give them the leverage needed to swing France behind a visa crackdown that has gained momentum since the Leipzig-Halle airport drone-bomb plot.