Azerbaijan Releases French National as EU Lifts Sanctions on Russian Billionaires

Ryan was convicted in March 2026 and sentenced to ten years in prison. Mikhail Fridman has since initiated a 15 billion euro lawsuit against Luxembourg over frozen assets. The recent diplomatic maneuver reflects a complex intersection of prisoner diplomacy and the broader EU sanctions regime, which the bloc extended for 3,000 other entities until September 22, 2029.

France spearheaded the effort to secure the exemptions for Usmanov and Fridman, viewing the delisting as a necessary component of a prisoner deal with Azerbaijan. Although Latvia initially opposed the French-led initiative, the country eventually dropped its veto. EU diplomat Kaja Kallas defended the move, stating the bloc required stability regarding its long-term sanctions policy. The decision sparked significant backlash, with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha labeling the exemptions as shameful, while the widow of Alexei Navalny also voiced sharp criticism.

1. President Ilham Aliyev pardoned French citizen Martin Ryan on September 23, 2026, along with 19 other individuals. Ryan had served part of a ten-year sentence following his March 2026 conviction. Aliyev cited health and personal factors as the reason for the decision. The release addresses a diplomatic issue between France and Azerbaijan.

2. The European Union extended sanctions on approximately 3,000 Russian individuals and entities. Kaja Kallas, the European Union High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, announced the extension on September 22, 2026. Kallas said the bloc needed a predictable timeline for its restrictive measures. The sanctions remain in effect until September 22, 2029.

3. The European Union removed sanctions on Mikhail Fridman. This action addresses a legal challenge for the bloc. Fridman is suing Luxembourg for 15 billion euros. He filed the claim over assets frozen by the sanctions. The delisting may reduce Luxembourg's exposure to the lawsuit.

4. France used diplomatic channels to secure the release of a national through the European Union (EU) sanctions framework. French officials proposed delisting Alisher Usmanov as part of a prisoner deal with Azerbaijan. This case demonstrates the use of sanctions relief in prisoner negotiations.

1. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha called the European Union’s decision to delist Alisher Usmanov and Mikhail Fridman 'shameful and unjustifiable'. The European Union sanctioned both men in 2022 because of their business ties to the Kremlin. Sybiha’s comments reflect a disagreement between the Ukrainian government and the European Union regarding current sanctions policy.

2. Yulia Navalnaya, widow of the late Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny, criticized the European Union (EU) decision to lift sanctions on the two billionaires. She argued that this action weakens the effectiveness of the sanctions regime. Advocates for continued pressure on Russian elites oppose the decision.

3. President Ilham Aliyev released a pardon list on September 23, 2026, that excluded Anass Derraz, an executive for a French water company. Derraz has remained in an Azerbaijani prison since 2025. His detention indicates that the recent prisoner agreement did not resolve every case involving French nationals.

4. Latvia initially opposed a French-led effort to exempt two oligarchs from sanctions. Latvia withdrew its veto on September 22, 2026. This disagreement highlights differing views within the European Union (EU) on using sanctions as bargaining tools. The policy shift lacks unanimous support among member states.