Representatives from 27 European nations reached an agreement to clear billionaires Alisher Usmanov and Mikhail Fridman from sanctions lists, Reuters reports. The measure takes effect if no country objects in the coming hours and follows direct advocacy from France, Slovakia, and Luxembourg for the removals.

This action is part of a broader arrangement to prolong restrictions on thousands of other Russian individuals and entities for another 3 years. Both businessmen have been subject to European Union sanctions since 2022.