Zelensky calls EU delay on Russian oligarch sanctions 'immoral and self-destructive'

What happened

The Kyiv Independent reports that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky sharply criticized the European Union on Sept. 12 for not reaching an agreement to renew sanctions on Russian oligarchs and businesses, calling the delay "immoral and self-destructive." The EU has until Sept. 15 to approve the extension of sanctions targeting more than 3,000 mostly Russian entities and individuals, but failed to do so on Sept. 11.

Outside Brief is treating this as a source-led account. Any disputed responsibility, casualty figure, battlefield claim or single-source assertion should be treated as unconfirmed/hearsay unless confirmed by another reliable source or a named official. The delay is reportedly due in part to Slovakia’s continued blocking of the agreement pending the delisting of Russian oligarchs Mikhail Fridman and Alisher Usmanov. Four EU diplomats told Euronews that France has joined Slovakia in pushing for Usmanov’s removal from the sanctions list, creating significant frustration among other EU member states.

Zelensky, in a social media statement, condemned the potential easing of sanctions, emphasizing that Russian oligarchs like Fridman and Usmanov fund Russia’s war effort and that relaxing restrictions would be counterproductive while Ukraine faces sustained Russian drone attacks. He pointed to the incoming 500 Shahed drones per day from Russia as evidence that the conflict remains intense and sanctions should not be softened.

Known from the source

• The EU sanctions on more than 3,000 primarily Russian entities and individuals were last extended on March 14, 2026.
• The October 15 deadline for renewal was missed on Sept. 11, 2026.
• Slovakia is blocking the sanctions extension until Russian oligarchs Mikhail Fridman and Alisher Usmanov are delisted.
• France has joined Slovakia in calling for Usmanov to be removed from the EU sanctions list.
• President Zelensky publicly condemned the potential easing of sanctions on Sept. 12, 2026.

What remains unclear

Fridman is known to be in Putin’s inner circle and linked to insurance companies servicing Russian military operations, while Usmanov has been described as a favored oligarch of Putin in the original EU sanctions decision. Slovakia, seen as relatively Kremlin-friendly, has long advocated lifting the sanctions on these individuals and France's support marks a new development complicating consensus.

What remains unclear: Confirm whether the central claim is corroborated; until then treat it as unconfirmed/hearsay. Verify the current positions and demands of Slovakia and France regarding delisting Usmanov and Fridman as of the latest EU diplomatic discussions. Confirm the exact scope and timing of the drone attacks referenced by Zelensky and their current impact on Ukraine’s economy. Check for any new developments on the EU sanctions extension negotiations post-Sept. 12 statements.

Evidence note

Outside Brief has kept this brief source-led and attributed. Claims should be read alongside the original source linked below.

Original source: Kyiv Independent. Open the source.