France says lifting EU sanctions on Usmanov served its interests

September 27, 2026 at 07:23 PM2 min

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French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot said removing Alisher Usmanov from the EU sanctions list served France's interests. He added that Paris proposed extending the duration of EU personal sanctions from six months to three years. The EU Council on September 22 extended sanctions against Russia until September 22, 2029, while excluding Usmanov and three other individuals.

Key Facts

French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot said removing Alisher Usmanov from the EU sanctions list served France's interests.
Paris proposed extending EU personal sanctions from six months to three years.
The EU Council on September 22 extended sanctions against Russia until September 22, 2029.
Usmanov, Mikhail Fridman, Andrei Falaleev, and Redbird Corporate Services Ltd were removed from the list.
France and Slovakia sought Usmanov's removal, while Latvia opposed it.

French Justification

Barrot said the EU sanctions list includes about 3,000 individuals and entities. He stated that Paris supported these restrictions and that he personally proposed adding hundreds of names to the list. "Out of 3,000, one was removed, although I proposed hundreds [of sanctions listings], and now I am asked about this," Barrot said. He added that Paris considered the removal of Usmanov would have no impact on the situation.

Sanctions Extension and Delistings

The EU Council on September 22 extended personal sanctions against Russia until September 22, 2029. The sanctions include travel bans, asset freezes, and prohibitions on providing funds or economic resources to listed persons. At the same time, the council removed Usmanov, Fridman, Falaleev, and Redbird Corporate Services Ltd from the list. Reuters, Financial Times, and Euractiv reported that France and Slovakia sought Usmanov's removal, while Latvia opposed it.

Background and Reactions

Usmanov and Fridman had been under EU sanctions since February 2022. Usmanov repeatedly challenged the restrictions, but the EU court rejected his arguments. Russia does not recognize unilateral Western restrictions. After the EU decision, Russia's permanent mission called the sanctions illegitimate and said unfriendly actions would not go unanswered.