Russian oligarchs examine how Usmanov and Fridman escaped EU sanctions
A survey finds some Russian billionaires are studying the legal tactics that led to Alişer Usmanov and Mikhail Fridman being removed from EU sanction lists.
A group of Russian oligarchs are closely reviewing the cases of Alişer Usmanov and Mikhail Fridman, who were recently taken off the EU sanctions list after a prolonged lobbying effort. The confidential survey of unnamed billionaires and their inner circles shows that at least two plan to cite the Fridman ruling in future legal battles. Sergei Glandin of BGP Litigation explains that large-scale investment arbitration can compel governments to negotiate or lift sanctions more quickly.
The EU’s compromise removed Usmanov and Fridman while extending restrictions on roughly 3,000 other individuals and firms for another three years. The development occurs amid ongoing Russian air attacks on Ukrainian cities and heightened scrutiny of other sanctioned Russian businessmen.
Why it matters
It shows how legal strategies may allow sanctioned Russian elites to evade EU penalties, affecting sanction policy effectiveness.
How this story developed
- Sep 12 Zelensky denounces EU talks to lift sanctions on Russian oligarchs
- Sep 15 EU Coreper authorized a week‑long postponement of the sanctions expiry.
- Sep 22 Latvia announced it will not back the proposal to delist Usmanov and Fridman, prompting an emergency cabinet meeting.
- Sep 23 Latvia ultimately abstained in the EU vote, enabling renewal of the wider sanctions package while accepting the delisting of Usmanov and Fridman.
In this story
Related stories
10 in this thread