France is pushing the European Union to remove sanctions against Russian-Uzbek oligarch Alisher Usmanov as part of negotiations aimed at securing the release of French nationals imprisoned in Azerbaijan.
The French intervention, which has been described as “astonishing” by European diplomats, has contributed to delaying the renewal of EU sanctions against nearly 3,000 Russian-linked individuals and entities. France has joined Slovakia in demanding Usmanov’s removal from the sanctions list, forcing EU ambassadors to extend the existing measures by only seven days, until 22 September, while negotiations continue.
According to the Financial Times, France’s request is connected to negotiations with Azerbaijan over the release of several French nationals held in the country. Among the French citizens currently imprisoned in Azerbaijan are businessman Martin Ryan, who was sentenced to ten years for espionage, and Anass Derraz, whose prison sentence was reduced on appeal. France has rejected the accusations against Ryan and demanded his release.
Usmanov, whose fortune is estimated at around $18.8 billion, was sanctioned by the EU following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine because of his close relationship with Vladimir Putin and his economic interests in strategic sectors of the Russian economy.
He is the largest shareholder in USM, whose assets include steel and mining giant Metalloinvest, Udokan Copper, cement producer Akkerman Cement and telecommunications company MegaFon. Usmanov is party of Putin’s circle of oligarchs and his businesses provide substantial revenue to the Russian state.
Usmanov has also been heavily involved in international sport. He served as president of the International Fencing Federation between 2008 and 2022 and was re-elected to the post in 2024 despite being under Western sanctions. He was also once a major shareholder in Arsenal Football Club, owning around 30% of the English club before selling his stake to Stan Kroenke in 2018.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has criticised efforts to remove Russian oligarchs from the sanctions regime, arguing that this is not the moment for European governments to shield wealthy businessmen associated with the Kremlin.
Newsroom
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