Businessmen in Russia are examining how the removal of billionaires Alisher Usmanov and Mikhail Fridman from the EU blacklist can be used as a model to lift other restrictions. At least two entrepreneurs are treating Fridman's case as a legal precedent for their own lawsuits, although most sources believe these specific delistings were exceptional and are unlikely to trigger widespread relief for other sanctioned individuals.

The delistings resulted from a September 22 agreement to extend sanctions on approximately 3,000 Russian entities for 3 years after Latvia dropped a veto. France pushed for Usmanov's removal in linked negotiations to secure the release of French national Martin Ryan from an Azerbaijani prison, and Luxembourg sought Fridman's removal following a $16 billion claim he filed against the country. Ukraine called the move an unacceptable concession, while UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham expressed disagreement with the decision.