EU trades two delistings for a three-year Russia sanctions renewal

On September 22, Reuters reported that EU envoys removed Alisher Usmanov and Mikhail Fridman from the Russia sanctions list while renewing measures against roughly 3,000 other people and entities for three years rather than the usual six months. The compromise required unanimity, with Latvia abstaining, and followed pressure from France and Luxembourg; Ukraine's foreign minister urged national restrictions on the two delisted individuals. The longer renewal horizon reduces near-term expiry uncertainty for screening programs, but the delistings show that national litigation and diplomacy can still alter individual exposure. Firms should update lists promptly while preserving country-specific analysis because member states may consider parallel national measures.