EU lifts sanctions on Russian oligarchs amid French lobbying; Azerbaijan pardons French citizen Martin Ryan
The European Union removed asset freezes and travel bans on Alisher Usmanov and Mikhail Fridman after French lobbying tied to a dispute over detained French citizens. The decision drew criticism from Ukraine’s sanctions commissioner and warnings from Baltic states about its signal to Russia. President Ilham Aliyev of Azerbaijan issued a decree pardoning 20 people, including French national Martin Ryan, who had been sentenced for espionage.
France advocated for the sanctions lift as part of its diplomatic efforts concerning French detainees in Azerbaijan. Opposition voices compare the move to similar practices by Hungary and Slovakia.
How this was covered
- Right-leaning coverage is the most divided on this story
Why it matters
It illustrates how diplomatic bargaining can reshape sanctions policy and influence the release of foreign detainees.
How this story developed
- Sep 3 EU ministers clash over budget cuts as frugal states demand higher ambition
- Sep 16 The speech is expected to address AI, climate change, summer wildfires, Russia's war in Ukraine, Middle‑East conflicts, international trade tensions, and online child protection, and she will present a draft law to limit
- Sep 16 Czarnek’s proposal to withdraw Poland from the EU ETS was filed in the Sejm.
- Sep 17 Ursula von der Leyen invited Canada to become the EU’s first associate member.
- Sep 17 The European Commission will disburse €3.3 billion to Ukraine for missile and drone purchases, announced by Ursula von der Leyen following a call with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
- Sep 18 Negotiations remain deadlocked as frugal states and cohesion allies continue to clash over budget priorities.
- Sep 20 The Commission is now expected to bring the emergency asylum suspension idea to the State of Union address.
- Sep 20 The Philippines and Canada reported that the fourth round of talks resolved the biggest sticking points in their pending free trade agreement. Both sides said only a small number of minor issues remain, to be addressed through follow-up meetings and virtual discussions in the coming months. The progress puts the pact on track for completion before the end of the year.
- Sep 22 EU announced a €3.3 billion release for Ukrainian missile and drone purchases.
- Sep 22 Latvia announced it will not back the proposal to delist Usmanov and Fridman, prompting an emergency cabinet meeting.
- Sep 22 EU trade chief Maros Sefcovic and Philippine Trade Secretary Cristina Roque announced a significant milestone in their free‑trade negotiations.
- Sep 23 Azerbaijan granted a pardon to French citizen Martin Ryan, convicted of espionage, hours after the EU lifted sanctions on Russian oligarch Alicher Ousmanov following French pressure.
- Sep 23 Latvia ultimately abstained in the EU vote, enabling renewal of the wider sanctions package while accepting the delisting of Usmanov and Fridman.
- Sep 25 The EU removed asset freezes and travel bans on both Alisher Usmanov and Mikhail Fridman.
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