Ukraine outraged as EU lifts sanctions on two Russian oligarchs

Wed Sep 23 2026 23:23:53 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

EU removes sanctions on Alisher Usmanov and Mikhail Fridman, sparking anger from Ukraine and calls for national sanctions.

The European Union announced it would remove sanctions from Russian oligarchs Alisher Usmanof and Mikhail Fridman, an action that has sparked outrage in Ukraine. Kyiv’s officials have condemned the move as unacceptable and a sign of impunity for Moscow, while the Kremlin has welcomed it as a positive shift. France, citing national security, and Luxembourg, concerned about frozen assets, pushed for the removals, whereas Latvia agreed to a compromise that extends sanctions on other entities for three years. The decision raises questions about the EU’s strategy to deter Russian aggression and the broader geopolitical implications for Eastern Europe.

Ukraine outraged as EU lifts sanctions on two Russian oligarchs

In late August the European Union confirmed it would lift sanctions against two Russian business figures, Alisher Usmanov and Mikhail Fridman, after a staff‑level review. Both men were placed on a sanctions list following Russia’s full‑scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

Strategic motivations

France campaigned for Usmanov’s removal on the grounds of national security and possible ties to a prisoner‑release deal with Azerbaijan. Luxembourg backed Fridman’s removal because the businessman is suing the country for the release of frozen assets.

Latvian compromise

Latvia had initially opposed the removal but eventually agreed to a compromise. Under the deal, sanctions on nearly 3,000 other individuals and entities will be extended for three years, a step up from the previous six‑month renewals.

Ukraine’s reaction

"Moscow is celebrating because it got what it wanted: a sense of impunity, the humiliation of the EU, and division among Europeans," said Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha on X. He urged all EU member states to announce national sanctions on the two oligarchs; Latvia has already pledged to do so.

Kremlin response

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov welcomed the prospect, calling the EU’s sanctions illegal and stating that all Russians should be removed.

Who are the oligarchs?

Alisher Usmanov is a Russian‑Uzbek billionaire who founded USM Holding, controlling a range of iron, steel, copper suppliers and the telecoms company Megafon. He has had close ties with English Premier League clubs Arsenal and Everton. His assets were frozen in 2022 and he was described as a “pro‑Kremlin oligarch with particularly close ties to Russian president Vladimir Putin.”

Mikhail Fridman, a Russian‑Israeli businessman born in Ukraine, heads the Alfa Group conglomerate, with key interests in energy and banking, and is considered a top financier in Putin’s inner circle. He has repeatedly called for the conflict to end quickly but has refrained from outright condemnation of the Russian president.

The decision to remove sanctions has implications for the EU’s credibility in maintaining sanctions as a deterrent and reflects internal divisions on how best to counter Russian influence in the region.