EU removes Alisher Usmanov from sanctions list

The European Union has removed Russian-Uzbek billionaire Alisher Usmanov from its sanctions list. The decision, formalized by the Council on September 22, 2026, follows months of diplomatic discussions among EU member states. While the EU extended sanctions against over 3,000 other individuals and entities linked to the war in Ukraine for another three years, Usmanov was notably excluded from the renewal.

Reports from various media outlets suggest that France played a decisive role in advocating for the removal of Usmanov from the list. This move has raised suspicions of a diplomatic exchange, as Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev pardoned French citizen Martin Ryan on September 23, one day after the EU decision. Ryan had been held in detention in Azerbaijan since December 2023.

The French government has not officially confirmed a quid pro quo or a direct link between the two events. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that Ryan's release was the result of a ‘patient and difficult dialogue’ with Azerbaijani authorities. Usmanov's removal comes after years of sanctions related to the Russian invasion of Ukraine and a long-standing legal battle.