--- title: "EU states provisionally agree to lift sanctions on two Russian oligarchs" publication: "MediaBias News" url: "https://mediabias.news/politics/eu-states-provisionally-agree-to-lift-sanctions-on-two-russian-oligarchs" api: "https://mediabias.news/api/v1/stories/eu-states-provisionally-agree-to-lift-sanctions-on-two-russian-oligarchs" markdown: "https://mediabias.news/politics/eu-states-provisionally-agree-to-lift-sanctions-on-two-russian-oligarchs.md" audio: "https://mediabias.news/api/audio/eu-states-provisionally-agree-to-lift-sanctions-on-two-russian-oligarchs" category: "Politics" area: "European Union" published: "2026-09-21T17:46:47.807Z" source_reported: "2026-09-21T17:20:53.000Z" updated: "2026-09-21T17:46:47.807Z" trust_score: 42 critic_score: 57 hype_score: 41 assessment_type: "coverage-and-source-reporting-analysis" fact_check_status: "not-performed" coverage_measured: "2026-09-21T17:45:25.559700+00:00" --- # EU states provisionally agree to lift sanctions on two Russian oligarchs *Agreement reached as part of a compromise to extend sanctions against Russia for three years.* **Scores for the source reporting** (0-100, assessing the original journalism this article was written from, not this write-up): - Trust 42 of 100, higher is better. Central claims attributed to diplomats and Ukrainian Foreign Minister, with two full reports. - Craft 57 of 100, higher is better. Reporting is clear and holds together, but lacks quotes from affected or opposing parties. - Hype 41 of 100, lower is better. Headline promises a surprise decision, but the body details a provisional agreement and Ukrainian reaction. Scored by MediaBias News; method at https://mediabias.news/methodology. **The short version** - EU member states have reached a provisional agreement to lift sanctions on Russian oligarchs Alisher Usmanov and Mikhail Fridman. - This agreement is part of a compromise to extend sanctions against Russia for three years. - Ukraine's Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha stated that lifting sanctions on these oligarchs is unacceptable and would send the wrong message to Moscow. - France and Slovakia advocated for Usmanov's removal, while Luxembourg requested Fridman's removal. EU member states have reached a provisional agreement to lift sanctions on Russian oligarchs Alisher Usmanov and Mikhail Fridman. This decision is part of a compromise to extend sanctions against Russia for three years, a significantly longer period than the usual six or 12 months. The agreement will become final if no member state formally objects within hours. Ukraine's Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha has stated that lifting sanctions on these individuals is unacceptable and would send the wrong message to Moscow. He argued that pressure on Russia should be increased, not eased. Usmanov and Fridman were added to the sanctions list in 2022 due to their alleged ties to the Russian regime and their alleged contribution to the war in Ukraine. ## Disagreements on reasons for removal Reports indicate that France and Slovakia advocated for Usmanov's removal from the sanctions list. Index.hr reported that France's advocacy followed pressure from Azerbaijan, which had detained French citizens, though a high-ranking Azerbaijani diplomat denied these claims. Lietuvos Radijas ir Televizija stated that Paris cited "national security" reasons for its request but did not provide public details. Luxembourg requested Fridman's removal, with Lietuvos Radijas ir Televizija reporting this was after Fridman initiated a €15 billion lawsuit against the EU over the sanctions. ## What the coverage left out None of the right-rated reports mention the specific details regarding France's alleged pressure from Azerbaijan or Luxembourg's argument that Fridman's case might be weakened if only Usmanov were removed, as reported by Index.hr and Lietuvos Radijas ir Televizija. ## Who covered it Shares of the 7 covering outlets with a published leaning rating: - Left: 14% (1) - Centre: 15% (1) - Right: 71% (5) 15 of 22 covering outlets carried no usable leaning rating and were excluded from those percentages. Coverage measured 2026-09-21T17:45:25.559700+00:00. **Coverage watch:** developing. Checked 1 time; 0 checks found a material change. Most recently checked 2026-09-21T18:00:28.151Z. ## How the sides framed it ### Left - Index.hr's full report stated that EU representatives agreed to lift sanctions on Alisher Usmanov and Mikhail Fridman, provided no member state objected. The report noted this was a surprising decision and highlighted Ukraine's reaction, quoting Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha saying it was unacceptable and would send the wrong signal. The outlet also mentioned France's and Slovakia's advocacy for Usmanov's removal and Luxembourg's request for Fridman's. It noted France's stated reason for advocating Usmanov's removal was pressure from Azerbaijan, a claim denied by an Azerbaijani diplomat. ### Centre - Lietuvos Radijas ir Televizija reported that EU countries reached a preliminary agreement to lift sanctions on Alisher Usmanov and Mikhail Fridman, initiated by France. This agreement is part of a compromise to extend sanctions against Russia for three years. The report quoted Ukraine's Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha calling the move unacceptable and a wrong signal to Moscow. It detailed France and Slovakia's push for Usmanov's removal and Luxembourg's subsequent request for Fridman's removal, citing national security for France and a lawsuit for Luxembourg. The report also mentioned opposition from stricter EU countries like Poland and the Baltic states. ### Right - The right-rated reports focused on Ukraine's strong opposition to the potential lifting of EU sanctions on Russian oligarchs Alisher Usmanov and Mikhail Fridman. Iefimerida.gr, Arab News, and Korrespondent.net all highlighted Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sibikha's statement that the move is unacceptable and would send a "wrong message" to Moscow. Arab News noted that the issue has stalled due to differing views among EU countries. Korrespondent.net stated Sibiga's position that sanctions need to be tightened and individual lists expanded. Iefimerida.gr mentioned that the two oligarchs were added to the list due to their ties to the Russian regime. ## Factuality profile of the covering outlets These are published factuality ratings of the outlets, not a verdict on whether this story or its claims are true. - low: 2 - mixed: 2 - high: 3 - unknown: 15 ## Verification scope This page compares coverage and scores the source reporting. It is not a ClaimReview verdict on whether the underlying event or claim is true. ## Original reporting this was written from - [dialogos.com.cy](https://dialogos.com.cy/aparadekti-gia-to-kievo-i-afairesi-roson-oligarchon-apo-lista-kyroseon-ee) — Removal of Russian Oligarchs From EU Sanctions List Unacceptable for Kiev - [e-global.pt](https://e-global.pt/noticias/mundo/europa/ucrania-considera-inaceitavel-levantamento-de-sancoes-contra-oligarcas-russos) — Ukraine Considers "Unacceptable" Lifting of Sanctions Against Russian Oligarchs - [siol.net](https://siol.net/novice/svet/veliko-presenecenje-darilo-evrope-za-putinova-oligarha-702007) — Big Surprise: Europe's Gift to Putin's Oligarch - [seleo.gr](https://seleo.gr/eidiseis/diethni/aparadekti-i-arsi-ton-kyroseon-se-ros) — Lifting Sanctions on Russian Oligarchs "Unacceptable", Says Ukraine - [IndexHR](https://index.hr/vijesti/clanak/eu-ukida-sankcije-ruskim-oligarsima-ukrajinci-ljuti-sto-se-promijenilo/2837090.aspx) — Surprising EU Decision on Russian Oligarchs. Ukrainians: It's Unacceptable - [CNN Greece](https://cnn.gr/kosmos/story/553379/i-ee-airei-tis-kyroseis-se-rosous-oligarxes-aparedekto-leei-i-oukrania) — EU Lifts Sanctions on Russian Oligarchs - Ukraine Says "Unacceptable" - [Lietuvos Radijas ir Televizija](https://lrt.lt/naujienos/pasaulyje/6/3059426/diplomatai-es-pasirengusi-panaikinti-sankcijas-dviem-rusijos-oligarchams) — Diplomats: EU Ready to Lift Sanctions on Two Russian Oligarchs - [Iefimerida](https://iefimerida.gr/kosmos/kiebo-aparadekti-arsi-kyroseon-ee-rosoys-oligarhes) — Ukraine: Possible Lifting of EU Sanctions on Russian Oligarchs Unacceptable - iefimerida.gr - [Correio da Manhã](https://cmjornal.pt/mais-cm/especiais/guerra-na-ucrania/detalhe/kiev-diz-a-bruxelas-que-levantar-sancoes-contra-oligarcas-russos-e-inaceitavel) — Kiev Tells Brussels that Lifting Sanctions Against Russian Oligarchs Is Unacceptable - [antena3.ro](https://antena3.ro/externe/revolta-la-kiev-dupa-ce-franta-a-cerut-scoaterea-de-pe-lista-de-sanctiuni-a-ue-a-oligarhilor-rusi-usmanov-si-fridman-e-inacceptabil-804075.html) — Revolt in Kiev After France Called for the Removal of Russian Oligarchs Usmanov and Fridman From the EU Sanctions List: "It Is Unacceptable" - [RadioMaryja.pl](https://radiomaryja.pl/informacje/msz-ukrainy-zniesienie-sankcji-wobec-rosyjskich-oligarchow-byloby-nie-do-przyjecia) — Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs: Lifting Sanctions Against Russian Oligarchs Would Be "Unacceptable" - [Al Arabiya](https://english.alarabiya.net/News/world/2026/09/21/ukraine-slams-unacceptable-push-to-lift-eu-sanctions-on-russian-oligarchs-) — Ukraine slams ‘unacceptable’ push to lift EU sanctions on Russian oligarchs - [Naftemporiki](https://naftemporiki.gr/kosmos/2164664/oykrania-kata-ee-aparadekti-i-arsi-ton-kyroseon-se-rosoys-oligarches) — Ukraine vs. EU: Lifting Sanctions on Russian Oligarchs "Unacceptable" - [reader.gr](https://reader.gr/kosmos/oykrania-aparadekti-i-arsi-ton-kyroseon-se-rosoys-oligarhes/662352) — Ukraine: "Lifting Sanctions on Russian Oligarchs Is Unacceptable" - [anews.com.tr](https://anews.com.tr/world/2026/09/21/ukraine-slams-unacceptable-push-to-lift-eu-sanctions-on-russian-oligarchs) — Ukraine slams unacceptable push to lift EU sanctions on Russian oligarchs - [Noticias ao Minuto](https://noticiasaominuto.com/mundo/3054963/ucrania-kiev-diz-a-bruxelas-que-levantar-sancoes-contra-oligarcas-russos-e-inaceitavel) — Kyiv Tells Brussels that Lifting Sanctions Against Oligarchs Is "Unacceptable" - [Agenzia giornalistica Opinione](https://agenziagiornalisticaopinione.it/opinionmix/rainews-economia-e-finanza-trump-la-russia-ha-perso-il-controllo-della-sua-industria-del-gasolio-a-causa-della-guerra) — RAINEWS * ECONOMY AND FINANCE: "THE RUSSIA LOST THE CONTROL OF HIS GASOLIO INDUSTRY IN CASE OF WAR" - Journalistic Agency Opinion. News From Italy - World / Trentino Alto Adige - [ΑΘΗΝΑ 9,84](https://athina984.gr/2026/09/21/antrii-simpicha-aparadekti-i-arsi-ton-kyroseon-se-rosoys-oligarches) — Andriy Sibikha: Lifting Sanctions on Russian Oligarchs "Unacceptable" - [Business Daily](https://businessdaily.gr/diethni/233403_i-oykrania-antidra-stin-protasi-ee-gia-arsi-kyroseon-se-rosoys-oligarhes) — Ukraine: EU Lifting Sanctions on Russian Oligarchs "Unacceptable" - [Arab News](https://arabnews.com/world/ukraine-slams-unacceptable-push-to-lift-eu-sanctions-on-russian-oligarchs-3002576) — Ukraine slams ‘unacceptable’ push to lift EU sanctions on Russian oligarchs - [Korrespondent.net](https://korrespondent.net/ukraine/4913593-ukrayna-ozvuchyla-pozytsyui-po-usmanovu-y-frydmanu) — Ukraine Expressed Its Position on Usmanov and Friedman - [ТСН.ua](https://tsn.ua/politika/zodnykh-postupok-oliharkham-putina-mzs-ukrayiny-vymahaye-posylyty-sanktsiynyy-tysk-3172769.html) — No Concessions to Putin's Oligarchs: Ukrainian Foreign Ministry Demands to Strengthen Sanctions Pressure ## Questions **What is the provisional agreement reached by EU member states?** EU member states have provisionally agreed to lift sanctions on Russian oligarchs Alisher Usmanov and Mikhail Fridman. This agreement is part of a compromise to extend sanctions against Russia for three years, a longer period than usual, and will become final if no member state objects. **What is Ukraine's reaction to the potential lifting of sanctions?** Ukraine's Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha has called the move unacceptable, stating it would send the wrong message to Moscow. He argued that pressure on Russia should be increased, not eased, and that the oligarchs were sanctioned for their ties to the Russian regime and contribution to the war. **Which EU countries advocated for the removal of these oligarchs?** France and Slovakia advocated for the removal of Alisher Usmanov from the sanctions list. Luxembourg subsequently requested the removal of Mikhail Fridman. Reports suggest France cited national security reasons, while Luxembourg's request may be linked to a lawsuit initiated by Fridman. --- MediaBias News — https://mediabias.news. Reproduced from https://mediabias.news/politics/eu-states-provisionally-agree-to-lift-sanctions-on-two-russian-oligarchs. Please cite as: MediaBias News, "EU states provisionally agree to lift sanctions on two Russian oligarchs", https://mediabias.news/politics/eu-states-provisionally-agree-to-lift-sanctions-on-two-russian-oligarchs