Bloomberg: EU sanctions relief ‘surprises’ Russian billionaire Mikhail Fridman

Russian billionaire Mikhail Fridman expressed surprise upon learning that the EU had removed him and fellow businessman Alisher Usmanov from the sanctions list, according to a source cited by Bloomberg. Despite multiple court victories, Fridman had "all but lost hope" that the sanctions would be lifted, the source revealed. Fridman did not grant an interview to Bloomberg regarding the EU's decision.

Bloomberg reported that Fridman's surprise was largely due to the efforts of Usmanov, who secured his own removal from the sanctions list after France called for it to be lifted, prompting Luxembourg to push for the same on Fridman's behalf. The EU's decision to lift the sanctions was tied to a $16 billion claim filed by Fridman against Luxembourg in 2024 over the freezing of his assets.

Bloomberg sources indicated that the relationship between Usmanov and leaders in Uzbekistan and Azerbaijan played a crucial role in the EU’s decision. On September 22, the Council of the European Union removed both Usmanov and Fridman from the sanctions list, which had previously included around 3,000 individuals and entities. The sanctions list, previously set to expire on September 14-15, was extended by only one week due to divisions among EU members on the issue of sanctions against Usmanov.

France and Slovakia had advocated for the removal of sanctions against him. Paris reportedly intervened on Usmanov's behalf as part of a deal to secure the release of prisoners, with EU representatives agreeing to extend the sanctions list for three years in exchange.