Alisher Usmanov

Azerbaijan pardons French national after EU drops sanctions on Usmanov

Azerbaijan pardons French citizen Martin Ryan following Usmanov's delisting

Azerbaijan's President Aliyev pardoned French citizen Martin Ryan, jailed for espionage, as part of a deal in which France secured Usmanov's removal from the EU's Russia sanctions list. Ryan is expected to fly to Paris on Wednesday.

Sep 23, 2026 · byEuronews

Europe lifts sanctions against two Russians

The EU has agreed to remove Russian billionaires Alisher Usmanov and Mikhail Fridman from its sanctions list, while extending restrictions on nearly 3,000 individuals and companies linked to Russia’s war in Ukraine for another three years. The decision came after difficult negotiations, as EU sanctions require unanimous approval from all 27 member states. Caroline Baum reports.

Sep 23, 2026 · byFrance 24

Azerbaijan pardons jailed Frenchman after EU lifts sanctions on Russian oligarchs

Azerbaijan's President ​Ilham Aliyev on Wednesday pardoned a ​French national imprisoned for espionage a day ​after ‌the ⁠EU lifted sanctions on Russian billionaire ‌Alisher Usmanov following what ⁠diplomats said was pressure from Baku.

Sep 23, 2026 · byFrance 24

Estonia says France must explain push to lift EU sanctions on Usmanov

EU drops sanctions for Russian oligarchs Usmanov and Fridman

France and Luxembourg were behind the sanctions exemptions for Alisher Usmanov and Mikhail Fridman, a move that Kyiv labeled "shameful and unjustifiable."

Sep 22, 2026 · byDeutsche Welle

Ukraine anger as EU removes Russian oligarchs from sanctions list

Alisher Usmanov and Mikhail Fridman both have close ties to President Putin, and Kyiv said the move sent Moscow the wrong signals.

Sep 22, 2026 · byBBC

'Cherry-picking sanctions' risks 'normalising' Russia, Latvian PM says amid Usmanov row

Latvian Prime Minister Andris Kulbergs spoke exclusively to Euronews about his last-minute change in tune over a sanctions saga that has gripped Brussels, while also warning of remaining dangers.

Sep 22, 2026 · byEuronews

'Cherry-picking sanctions' risks 'normalising' Russia, Latvian PM says amid Usmanov row

Latvian Prime Minister Andris Kulbergs spoke exclusively to Euronews about his last-minute change in tune over a sanctions saga that has gripped Brussels, while also warning of remaining dangers.

Sep 22, 2026 · byEuronews

EU removes oligarchs from Russia sanctions list as deadline looms

Alisher Usmanov and Mikhail Fridman delisted in what Ireland’s EU presidency called ‘a difficult compromise’ for the bloc The EU has agreed to remove two Russian billionaires, Alisher Usmanov and Mikhail Fridman, from its sanctions list, while extending restrictions on nearly 3,000 individuals and companies accused of supporting the war on Ukraine for the next three years. With an end-of-Tuesday deadline looming to preserve the Russia blacklist, the EU’s 27 member states found a compromise that meant delisting the two oligarchs in spite of very few countries wanting this outcome. EU sanctions have to be approved unanimously. Continue reading...

Sep 22, 2026 · byThe Guardian

EU to lift sanctions on two Russian oligarchs

Mikhail Fridman and Alisher Usmanov removed from bloc’s list under deal to extend curbs for three years

Sep 22, 2026 · byFinancial Times

EU removes two Russian billionaires from sanctions list

Alisher Usmanov and Mikhail Fridman were cut from the blacklist after capitals gave in to a lobbying bid by France behind closed doors.

Sep 22, 2026 · byPOLITICO Europe

European Union removes Usmanov and Fridman from sanctions list in controversial deal

The EU's decision may strain relations with Ukraine and highlight internal divisions, impacting future diplomatic and economic strategies. The post European Union removes Usmanov and Fridman from sanctions list in controversial deal appeared first on Crypto Briefing .

Sep 22, 2026 · byCryptoBriefing

EU renews Russia sanctions but removes Usmanov at France's request

France succeeded in its push to remove Alisher Usmanov from the EU sanctions list as part of a prisoner release with Azerbaijan. A second high-profile businessman, Mikhail Fridman, was also removed.

Sep 22, 2026 · byEuronews

EU renews Russia sanctions but removes Usmanov at France's request

France succeeded in its push to remove Alisher Usmanov from the EU sanctions list as part of a prisoner release with Azerbaijan. A second high-profile businessman, Mikhail Fridman, was also removed.

Sep 22, 2026 · byEuronews

EU renews Russia sanctions, drops Russian billionaires Usmanov and Fridman

France blocks E.U. sanctions on Russia in push to spare oligarch Usmanov

The French request would lift E.U. sanctions on Alisher Usmanov, whom the E.U referred to as “one of Vladimir Putin’s favorite oligarchs,” in a bid to free French citizens held in Azerbaijan.

Sep 22, 2026 · byThe Washington Post

Zelenskyy calls on EU countries to keep Usmanov and Fridman on sanctions list

The EU must not remove Alisher Usmanov and Mikhail Fridman from the sanctions list, Volodymyr Zelenskyy said amid fraught negotiations in Brussels. "Pressure on Moscow must be strengthened," he said.

Sep 22, 2026 · byEuronews

EU fails to reach deal to lift sanctions on Russian oligarchs

EU countries failed Monday to finalise a deal that involved lifting sanctions on Russian oligarchs Alisher Usmanov and Mikhail Fridman, Multiple diplomats said earlier that member states had reached a provisional agreement to take the pair off the EU's blacklist as part of a compromise to extend sanctions on almost 3,000 other individuals and entities over the Ukraine war. France 24's Dave Keating has more from Brussels.

Sep 22, 2026 · byFrance 24

EU deadlocked on changes to Russia sanctions ahead of key Ukraine, Greenland talks - Europe live

Without an agreement sanctions on nearly 3,000 entities accused of supporting the war on Ukraine will lapse at the end of the day in Brussels The EU is deadlocked over a plan to remove two Russian billionaires, Alisher Usmanov and Mikhail Fridman, from its sanctions list as part of a bitterly disputed deal to keep broader restrictions in place on nearly 3,000 people and companies accused of enabling Vladimir Putin’s war on Ukraine. “Extending sanctions for 36 months would be the right step. However, the price for it must not be simply striking both individuals from the sanctions list. Latvia cannot accept SUCH an offer.” Continue reading...

Sep 22, 2026 · byThe Guardian

Latvian PM opposes deal to lift sanctions on Russia-linked billionaires Usmanov and Fridman

Latvia blocks deal to remove Usmanov from EU sanctions list

The French push to remove Uzbek-Russian businessman Alisher Usmanov from the sanctions list was stopped by Latvia at the last minute.

Sep 22, 2026 · byEuronews

EU fails to agree on lifting sanctions on Russian oligarchs

EU countries failed Monday to reach a final deal that would remove Russian billionaires Alisher Usmanov and Mikhail Fridman from the bloc's sanctions list, with diplomats set to resume talks Tuesday.

Sep 22, 2026 · byFrance 24

Removing Usmanov from sanctions list risks making EU look weak - Lithuanian finance minister

Vilnius strongly opposes France's push to remove Usmanov from Russian sanctions, its finance minister told Euronews. However, fears of the blacklist expiring will likely lead to his removal despite heavy backlash.

Sep 21, 2026 · byEuronews