EU extends Russia sanctions for three years but removes oligarchs Fridman and Usmanov from list

What Happened

On 22 September, the Council of the EU adopted a final decision extending restrictive measures against individuals and entities deemed responsible for undermining or threatening Ukraine's territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence for a further 36 months, according to European Pravda citing a Council press release. The measures cover more than 3,000 individuals and entities and include travel bans, asset freezes, and a prohibition on making funds or economic resources available to listed persons. In the sanctions review, the Council did not renew listings for three individuals and one entity, and removed three deceased persons. European Pravda reported, based on its understanding, that two of the three non-renewed individuals are Russian oligarchs Mikhail Fridman and Alisher Usmanov; the Council did not publicly name them. Their removal had delayed the extension and is described as part of a compromise allowing the Council to shift from six-month extensions to a three-year term. The third individual is unnamed, with indications that the delisting followed a successful court challenge.

Key Actors

Why It Matters

The extension to 36 months gives the EU's Russia sanctions framework longer-term continuity after repeated six-month renewals, but the simultaneous delisting of prominent oligarchs reveals internal bargaining and legal pressure on listings. Latvia has announced national sanctions on Usmanov and Fridman, indicating some member states will compensate at national level, while Ukraine's foreign minister has publicly criticised the EU compromise. The case may set precedent for court-driven delistings and weaken collective asset-freeze cohesion.

Watch For

Monitor publication of the Council's legal act and any named identity of the third individual and entity; watch whether the delisted persons pursue further court actions or asset unfreezing, and whether other member states follow Latvia with national sanctions. Also track Ukrainian diplomatic reactions and any EU discussion on tightening listing-evidence standards after the reported court-driven delisting.