Zelenskyy asks EU countries to keep Usmanov and Fridman under sanctions

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Published: 2026-09-22T14:27:10.956Z • Permanent link

Vladimir Zelenskyy, the President of Ukraine, has made a crucial request to EU countries to maintain the sanctions imposed on Russian billionaire Alisher Usmanov and Mikhail Fridman, two of the country's wealthiest and most influential figures. This development comes amid intense negotiations in Brussels, where EU leaders are grappling with the complexities of balancing economic pressure on Russia with the need to maintain stability in the global economy.

Usmanov, a billionaire businessman with interests in metals, finance, and sports, has been under sanctions since 2018, when the EU imposed restrictions on his companies following Russia's annexation of Crimea. Fridman, another prominent Russian oligarch, has also been targeted by sanctions since 2014, when the EU first imposed restrictions on his companies due to Russia's actions in Ukraine.

Zelenskyy's call for the sanctions to remain in place reflects the ongoing efforts to strengthen pressure on Moscow, which has been accused of engaging in various forms of aggression, including the annexation of Crimea, the ongoing conflict in eastern Ukraine, and the invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. The EU has been a key player in this effort, imposing a range of sanctions on Russian individuals and companies in response to these actions.

Fridman's conglomerate, Alfa Group, has been particularly targeted by sanctions, with several of its subsidiaries facing restrictions on their ability to operate in the EU. Meanwhile, Usmanov's companies, including Interros and Renova, have also been subject to sanctions, with restrictions imposed on their ability to raise capital in the EU and engage in other activities.

Ukraine's efforts to maintain pressure on Russia have been supported by several key allies, including the US and the UK, which have also imposed sanctions on Russian individuals and companies. However, the EU's position on sanctions has been more nuanced, with some member states expressing concerns about the impact on the global economy.

The ongoing efforts to maintain sanctions on Usmanov and Fridman have significant implications for the EU's research community, particularly in the fields of energy, finance, and technology. Several major research institutions, including the European Commission's Joint Research Centre, have collaborations with companies owned by these billionaires, which could be disrupted if sanctions are lifted.