France seeks delisting of Russian oligarch from EU sanctions list

France has joined Slovakia in seeking the removal of Russian-Uzbek businessman Alisher Usmanov from the European Union’s sanctions list, triggering “huge frustration” among other member states, four EU diplomats told Euronews.

Slovakia has for some time pushed for Usmanov and fellow Russian oligarch Mikhail Fridman to be removed from the EU sanctions regime targeting individuals considered close to Russian President Vladimir Putin’s government and the military-industrial complex supporting the war in Ukraine.

Paris has now also called for Usmanov to be delisted. He has been under EU sanctions since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

Usmanov, an Uzbek-born Russian billionaire, built his fortune through investments in metals, mining, telecommunications and technology. He is considered close to the Kremlin, a characterisation he denies.

The French position has caused “huge frustration” among some other EU member states, particularly as Europe faces growing concerns over hybrid threats, including a recent attempted drone attack on Leipzig airport in Germany.

“It raised a lot of questions about the motivation — seems mostly economic reasons at play here. Not a lot of understanding on the side of other member states,” one EU diplomat told Euronews on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the discussions.

The EU sanctions regime currently covers more than 3,000 individuals and entities linked to Russia’s military-industrial complex and its contribution to the invasion of Ukraine.

The measures are due to be renewed on September 15, putting pressure on EU member states to reach an agreement ahead of the deadline.

According to Forbes’ March 2026 ranking, Usmanov’s fortune is estimated at $14.5 billion.

By Sabina Mammadli