The Digester

Slovakia Seeks Removal of Two Russian Oligarchs from EU Sanctions

Mar 16th 2026

Bratislava says it is pushing to delist Mikhail Fridman and Alisher Usmanov and may block renewal of EU Russia sanctions due 15 March 2026, coordinating with Hungary and citing legal and energy concerns.

  • Slovak Foreign Minister Juraj Blanár said Bratislava is pressing to delist Mikhail Fridman and Alisher Usmanov from the EU sanctions list.
  • Slovakia links its approval to extend sanctions on about 2,700 Russian individuals and companies to removing these names and may block the package due 15 March 2026.
  • Sanctions extensions require unanimous consent from all 27 EU member states, giving single governments veto power over renewal.
  • Slovakia and Hungary are coordinating their positions and are currently blocking a loan to Ukraine and the 20th EU sanctions package.
  • The dispute is tied to energy politics after damage to the Druzhba pipeline from a 27 January strike, which Bratislava and Budapest say affects their stance.
  • The case highlights a structural vulnerability in EU sanctions decision making that could weaken pressure on Kremlin-linked elites if delistings become politically driven.

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