# Who are Usmanov and Fridman, the Russian oligarchs France helped remove from the EU sanctions list?

https://mins.news/en/item/69299

- The Kyiv Independent, 2026-09-22 16:52 UTC
- World
- Original: https://kyivindependent.com/who-are-usmanov-and-fridman-the-russian-oligarchs-france-helped-remove-from-the-eu-sanctions-list/

> The EU is expected to lift sanctions on Russian businessmen Alisher Usmanov and Mikhail Fridman after tense negotiations. Slovakia led the push, while France reportedly held up sanctions extensions and sought Usmanov’s delisting as a condition for Azerbaijan to release two French prisoners. The article details Usmanov’s alleged Kremlin ties, wealth and business empire.

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