EU to Lift Sanctions on Usmanov, Fridman — SkimNews
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- EU envoys from 27 member states agreed Monday to lift sanctions on Usmanov and Fridman unless a member government objects within hours
- The delistings are bundled with a three-year renewal of sanctions on thousands of other Russian individuals and entities — far longer than the usual 6- or 12-month rollover
- France joined Slovakia in pushing for Usmanov's removal after citing pressure from Azerbaijan, which has detained at least two French nationals; a senior Azerbaijani diplomat denied the claims on Friday
- Luxembourg then demanded Fridman's removal because the businessman is arbitrating a $16 billion claim against the country
- Usmanov was sanctioned in 2022 with an EU travel ban and asset freeze, with the EU citing his "particularly close ties" to President Vladimir Putin
Why it matters: France's push to delist Usmanov — which Paris has not publicly confirmed — followed Azerbaijan's detention of at least two French nationals, while Luxembourg demanded Fridman's removal over a $16 billion arbitration claim it faces from him. The same package locks in three-year renewals for thousands of other Russian sanctions, longer than any prior rollover.
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