Abramovich loses third EU sanctions challenge

The European Union's General Court has rejected a third legal challenge by Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich seeking to overturn sanctions imposed on him, including asset freezes and travel restrictions. The ruling, issued on Wednesday, September 9, 2026, also dismissed his claim for damages. This marks the latest in a series of unsuccessful attempts by Abramovich to have the EU sanctions, first imposed in March 2022 following Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, removed. The court upheld the EU Council's decision to maintain the sanctions, citing Abramovich's significant financial interests in Russian metals companies Evraz and Norilsk Nickel. According to the court, these companies operate in sectors that generate substantial revenue for the Russian government. Judges found that Abramovich had failed to demonstrate that his continued stakes in these companies were disproportionate or that he had made meaningful efforts to change his business empire over the past four and a half years of the conflict.