France and Slovakia request EU lift Alisher Usmanov sanctions

EU sanctions Alisher Usmanov Russia sanctions European diplomacy economic motives

France and Slovakia have formally requested that the European Union remove Russian billionaire Alisher Usmanov from its sanctions list. This diplomatic move comes ahead of the September 15, 2026, deadline for the renewal of the EU's restrictive measures, which currently target over 3,000 individuals and entities linked to Russia's military-industrial complex.

Usmanov, the founder of USM Holdings with an estimated net worth exceeding $14 billion, has been under EU sanctions since the 2022 invasion of Ukraine due to his alleged ties to the Kremlin. While Usmanov has challenged these measures in court, the new push by Paris and Bratislava has caused significant frustration among other EU member states. Some diplomats suggest the French position may be motivated by economic considerations, leading to internal debate regarding the legal sustainability and efficacy of long-term individual sanctions.

Entities

Alisher Usmanov · Davit Sargsyan · Dilijan Community · European Union · France · Gevorg Petrosyan · Hayrenik Party · Housik Sahakyan · Khachik Galstyan · Mikhail Fridman · Mkhitar Matevosyan · Russia

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

[● 5 SOURCES] France and Slovakia have formally requested the European Union to remove Alisher Usmanov from its sanctions list. www.vg.hu · www1.pluska.sk · businesselitesafrica.com · entrevue.fr
[● 3 SOURCES] Diplomats suggest France's move may be driven by economic motives. www.vg.hu · entrevue.fr
[● 2 SOURCES] Alisher Usmanov's wealth is estimated at over 14 billion dollars. www1.pluska.sk · businesselitesafrica.com
[● 2 SOURCES] Slovakia has been working to remove Alisher Usmanov and Mikhail Fridman from the EU sanctions list. www1.pluska.sk
[● 4 SOURCES] The EU sanctions list currently affects more than 3,000 individuals and entities. www1.pluska.sk · entrevue.fr · www.vg.hu
[● 5 SOURCES] The EU sanctions regime must be renewed by September 15. www1.pluska.sk · businesselitesafrica.com · entrevue.fr · www.vg.hu