“Russia is establishing bilateral contacts with EU members to influence the sanctional policy of association.”, – WRITE: www.pravda.com.ua
Authors: Anna Leshchenko, Marta Kharinovich, Independent Anti -Corruption Commission (NAC)
The EU continued personal sanctions against oligarchs from the Russian Federation, whose actions threaten the territorial integrity of Ukraine for another six months. This decision once again testified to the consistent support of Ukraine by the EU.
However, the same report is about the exclusion from the sanctions lists of 2 people: one deceased-“Excellent fuel, energy and coal industry of the LNR” Konstantin Zavizenova. And one living – the businessman and relative of the oligarch Pavel Ezubov. This is done on the basis of the decision of the General Court of the EU of June 25, 2025.
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Jezubov – Oleg Deripaska’s cousin – the owner of the Russian Machines industrial conglomerate, which includes Military Industrial Company – one of the largest suppliers of military equipment to the Russian Armed Forces. Deripaska passed out part of his assets to Jesubov. It is noticeable that not only he won the court on sanctions against the association. For example, in April 2024, Petro Aven and Mikhail Friedman-Alfa-Bank’s shareholders were positive in April 2024. Despite the case, these Russian businessmen remained sanctioned, as their lawsuit concerned the restrictions for the period from February 2022 to March 2023, and at that time the list was already updated.
The appeal of EU actions in court is not the only tactic that Russia applies to avoid sanctions. For example, the Russian Federation appeals to some EU Member States, primarily to Hungary and Slovakia, to undermine the solidarity of unification from the inside. In particular, during the spring continuation of individual sanctions, these two countries of Central Europe were excluded from the lists of Vladimir Rashevsky, the sister of the Russian oligarch Alisher Usmanov Gulbakhor Ismailova, businessman Vyacheslav Mosz Kantor, as well as the Minister of Sports of the Russian Federation.
When promoting the interests of the Russian Federation, Budapest and Bratislava play absolutely according to the rules. The adoption of sanctions requires consensus, so the EU has to pay attention to the requirements of all members so that they do not block the joint decision at all. A similar situation happened in the fall, only then Hungary and Slovakia advocates for Michael Friedman, Petro Aven, Alisher Usmanov, Alberta Avdolian, Dmitry Mazepin and Musa Vidaev, each of which is related to the support of the Russian military-industrial complex. Actually, the threat of withdrawal of sanctions from these oligarchs was very pierced and now.
For example, Mikhail Friedman insured the property of the Kalashnikov concern and the car of military units through the subsidiary of Alfa Group. In addition, the SBU was suspected by Friedman for their involvement in the “mass distribution of dry -ups, clothing and other products under the trade mark” Army Russia “, which is supplied to the foremost.” He was also accused of organizing the meeting of “logistical assistance for the needs of occupation groups of the Russian Federation, which are fighting in Ukraine.” Together with Friedman, Petro Aven was involved in Alfa-Group.
Alisher Usmanov also has close contacts with the Russian MIC. In particular, its enterprises are supplied by the Izhevsky Mechanical Plant, which produces shooter weapons and provides Kalashnikov products. They also ensure the connection of military units of the Russian Federation and other defense structures of the aggressor state.
Albert Avdolyan is an influential figure in the energy sector of the Russian Federation and Sergei Chemezov’s associate, Rostech CEO, a company that plays a key role in the Russian defense industry.
Dmitry Mazepin is involved in the supply of chemical compounds to military plants through a civilian enterprise Uralhim.
Musa Vidaev is one of the leading Russian businessmen of the extraction industry, the President of JSC “Alliance Group”, Chairman of the Board of Directors of “Russian Platinum”, involved in the activity of VB.RF – institutions that are dealing with the defense sector of the Russian Federation and supports joint with “Rostech”.
This time, the efforts of Budapest and Bratislava were in vain, because Friedman, Aven, Usmanov, Avnlyan, Mazepin and Vidiyev still came under the influence of sanctions. However, the Jesubov case indicates the possible softness of the EU in the context of sanction policy-a weakening that strengthens the military-industrial complex of the Russian Federation.
However, there is an alternative variant of events, the realization of which will depend on the political will of the leading players. In particular, it is quite realistic to impose sanctions on Jesubov under a different pretext. However, this requires coordination of views between EU members, and with the current position of the two Central European states mentioned, it is not easy to reach it.
In addition to Hungary and Slovakia, the persons of the sanction lists also turn to other EU members. For example, Michael Friedman asked Spain to support the withdrawal of sanctions from him. The Russian businessman has promised that after withdrawal from sanctions, he would develop a network of Spanish supermarkets DIA (the network is associated with the Letterone investment fund, which Friedman lost through sanctions). Friedman’s exceptions from the sanction list were ready to support other countries – Luxembourg, Italy, Greece, Austria and Croatia.
So Russia is establishing bilateral contacts with EU members to influence the sanctional policy of association. Although only Hungary and Slovakia have openly lobbied Russian interests during the autumn prolongation of sanctions, the activation of dialogue between the sanctioned oligarchs and EU countries is accurately alarming.
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