The European Union (EU) sealed on Tuesday, 22 September 2026, the deal renewing sanctions on nearly 3,000 people and companies accused of supporting Russia’s war in Ukraine for three years and removing billionaires Alisher Usmanov and Mikhail Fridman from the list, after Latvia relented and opted for a constructive abstention, according to Euronews and The Guardian.

Ireland’s presidency of the Council of the EU confirmed the “difficult compromise” hours before the midnight deadline: the rollover moves from six months to 36 months, until 22 September 2029. According to diplomats cited by Euronews, France tied Usmanov’s delisting to the release of two French nationals held in Azerbaijan, and Slovakia vetoed keeping Fridman on the list; The Guardian reports that Luxembourg had asked for the same treatment for Fridman, who is seeking $16 billion from the grand duchy over the freezing of his assets. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called the decision unacceptable and publicly thanked Latvia for its resistance.