EU Extends Sanctions Against Russia: Fridman and Usmanov Remain Listed
On March 14th, ambassadors from all 27 EU member states agreed to extend individual sanctions against Russia for another six months, despite opposition from Slovakia and Hungary, which unsuccessfully demanded the removal of oligarchs Mikhail Fridman and Alisher Usmanov from the sanctions list.
Unity of 27 Despite Resistance from Two
Ambassadors from all 27 member states of the European Union agreed on Saturday, March 14th, to extend individual sanctions against more than 2,600 Russian individuals and entities for another six months — until September 15, 2026. The agreement is all the more remarkable given that Slovakia and Hungary had blocked it in previous days, demanding fundamental changes to the sanctions list.
What Did Bratislava and Budapest Want?
The Slovak government of Prime Minister Robert Fico conditioned its agreement to extend the sanctions on the removal of two names from the list: Russian-Israeli oligarch Mikhail Fridman, co-founder of the Alfa financial group, and Alisher Usmanov, a businessman close to the Kremlin. Hungary actively supported Bratislava in this demand. Both men face asset freezes and a ban on entering EU territory.
Slovak Foreign Minister Juraj Blanár defended Slovakia's right to discuss the composition of the sanctions list, speaking of "legally weak cases." Opposition leader Ivan Korčok sharply criticized him, stating that "Slovakia is defending Russian interests," a statement that resonated in European media.
International Dimension: Erdogan and Central Asia
Bratislava's request did not go unnoticed internationally. According to Radio Free Europe, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan also lobbied for Usmanov's removal from the sanctions list, personally writing a letter to Prime Minister Fico on the matter. Some Central Asian countries also expressed interest, revealing extensive geopolitical ties linking Usmanov to several regions outside of Russia.
Slovakia Eventually Backed Down
Negotiations before the expiration of the previous mandate on Sunday, March 15th, were extremely intense. The first attempt to agree at a meeting of ambassadors on Wednesday ended without result. However, diplomatic efforts in the final hours managed to overcome the stalemate — Slovakia withdrew its demand and joined the other 26 member states.
Fridman and Usmanov remain on the sanctions list. Only two people were removed from the list — a Dutch businessman and the daughter of the head of the Russian state oil pipeline company Transneft. In both cases, the EU Council spoke of "legally weak cases" without the political sensitivity that Bratislava sought.
New Sanctions: Maritime Services for Russian Tankers
The renewed sanctions package also includes new measures prohibiting the provision of maritime services — including insurance, financing, and technical support — to Russian oil tankers. The aim is to further curtail Moscow's revenues from oil exports, which the Kremlin uses to finance the war in Ukraine.
A Signal for Russia — and for Bratislava
The outcome of the March voting round is seen in European capitals as proof of the EU's ability to maintain unity in its sanctions policy towards Russia despite internal pressures. For Slovakia, it is also a political defeat: Bratislava spent several days in the position of a country defending the interests of Russian oligarchs, which significantly damaged its reputation among its partners in the Union. The sanctions list will be reviewed again in September 2026.
