EU extends Russia sanctions for 36 months and removes Usmanov, Fridman from blacklist
On 22 September 2026 the Council of the European Union adopted a decision extending the bloc’s Russia sanctions regime for 36 months (until 22 September 2029) and removed oligarchs Alisher Usmanov and Mikhail Fridman from the EU sanctions list, lifting applicable asset freezes and travel bans for those two individuals.
The desk brief
On 22 September 2026 the Council of the European Union adopted a decision extending the bloc’s Russia sanctions regime for 36 months (until 22 September 2029) and removed oligarchs Alisher Usmanov and Mikhail Fridman from the EU sanctions list, lifting applicable asset freezes and travel bans for those two individuals.
The 36-month renewal locks in a longer, more predictable EU sanctions regime while the high-profile delistings create political friction that could feed compliance uncertainty. Sustained sanctions on over 3,000 Russia-linked entities keep commodity-price and counterparty risk channels active; this maintains trade‑finance cost and counterparty‑risk watchpoints for African importers and commodity-dependent borrowers, particularly in large markets like Nigeria.
EU member states’ national sanctions decisions (e.g., Latvia) or legal challenges by the delisted individuals.
Sources & verification
Developing storyFurther independent confirmation is required.
- EU to lift sanctions on Russian oligarchs Usmanov, Fridmanfrance24.comSource published (opens in a new tab)
- EU agrees to lift sanctions on Russian oligarchs in ‘shameful’ compromise dealstraitstimes.comSource published (opens in a new tab)
Public references supporting this brief.