EU Court Upholds Sanctions Against Russian Oligarch Roman Abramovich

The EU General Court ruled on Wednesday to reject Roman Abramovich's request to overturn the sanctions placed on him by the EU Council. The court found his argument—that the sanctions originated from working groups and not the Council—unconvincing, emphasizing that the Council's decisions are based on objective criteria aimed at influential business figures operating in sectors vital to Russia's state revenue. Abramovich, who is prohibited from traveling to the EU, is the principal shareholder of Evraz, a leading steel and mining conglomerate, and also holds a stake in Norilsk Nickel, a top global producer of palladium and refined nickel.

The tribunal highlighted that these industries provide substantial funding for the Russian government, which has already faced 19 sanction packages related to the war in Ukraine. The decision maintains the existing restrictions on Abramovich's assets and movements within the EU.