E.U. Lifts Sanctions on Oligarch Alisher Usmanov Amid Kyiv Objections

The European Union has lifted sanctions on two of Russia's wealthiest businessmen, including billionaire Alisher Usmanov, over objections from Kyiv, according to reporting by The Washington Post.

The decision removes measures that had targeted Usmanov, a figure the E.U. previously described as "one of Vladimir Putin's favorite oligarchs," the Post reported.

Who Pushed to End the Sanctions on Usmanov?

France was the member state driving the effort to lift the sanctions, according to the Post's reporting. The article does not detail the French government's stated rationale for seeking the change, and no French official is quoted in the available reporting.

Why Did the E.U. Sanction Usmanov in the First Place?

The E.U. had previously singled out Usmanov by name, calling him one of Putin's favored oligarchs — language the bloc used to justify placing him under sanctions after Russia's invasion of Ukraine. The Post's reporting does not specify the date of the original designation or the full list of measures that applied to him.

How Has Kyiv Responded?

The Post's headline and reporting describe the move as coming "despite Kyiv's outcry," indicating Ukrainian officials objected to the decision. The available source material does not include a direct quote from a Ukrainian official or specify which government body raised the objection.

What Sanctions Were Actually Lifted?

The source material confirms the sanctions applied to Usmanov and one other unnamed Russian businessman are being removed. It does not specify which E.U. body approved the change, the exact date it takes effect, or whether asset freezes, travel bans, or other specific measures are included in the rollback. The Post's reporting also does not detail Usmanov's net worth, business holdings, or the size of any assets previously frozen under the sanctions.

What Happens Next?

The available reporting does not specify next steps, including whether other E.U. states might seek to reverse the decision, whether Usmanov's assets will be unfrozen immediately, or whether additional oligarchs could see their sanctions status revisited. Questions about the broader trajectory of E.U. sanctions policy toward Russia, and how France's push fits into ongoing negotiations over the war in Ukraine, remain unanswered in the source material reviewed for this report.

The Washington Post's full account, including additional context on the sanctions process, is available at the originating story.

Has the European Commission Commented Publicly?

No statement from the European Commission or the E.U.'s foreign policy arm appears in the Post's reporting. The article does not indicate whether Brussels issued a formal announcement alongside the decision or whether the change was folded into a broader sanctions review. It is also unclear from the available reporting whether the move required unanimous consent among member states, a standard requirement for E.U. sanctions actions, or what procedural mechanism France used to advance it.

What Does This Mean for Other Sanctioned Russians?

The Post's reporting does not say whether the decision on Usmanov and the unnamed second businessman sets a precedent for other Russian nationals currently under E.U. sanctions. It does not identify any additional individuals whose cases might be affected, nor does it indicate whether Kyiv's objections could influence future sanctions reviews. This report will be updated if the Post or other outlets publish additional details on the scope of the rollback or the E.U.'s rationale.