Usmanov was one of 26 Russians sanctioned by the EU in the immediate days after Vladimir Putin’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February, with the bloc claiming he was one of the Russian president’s “beloved oligarchs”. His sister Gulbakhor Ismailova was also sanctioned on the grounds that she was the legal owner of some of Usmanov’s assets, including his $600 million yacht Dilbar. Tashkent has used recent meetings between Uzbek and EU officials to raise concerns about sanctions, according to two people familiar with the discussions. The central Asian country is also providing legal aid to Usmanov for possible legal action against Brussels if the bloc rejects requests to lift the restrictions. Usmanov, who was worth about $20 billion before Putin invaded, has maintained close ties to Uzbekistan, where he was born. Tashkent argued that the sanctions against him, which include an asset freeze and a travel ban, have limited the billionaire’s ability to invest some of his wealth in the country. The Uzbek embassy in Brussels said in a statement that it “does not comment on situations related to the protection of the interests of its citizens,” adding: “Aliser Usmanov is one of the most famous citizens of Uzbekistan. His deeds are exemplary, and his generosity and good faith are objects of admiration for our countrymen. It is difficult to identify areas in which Mr. Usmanov has not helped his country.” A spokesman for Usmanov said: “We cannot comment on the actions of the Uzbek government, but the sanctions do hinder investment and philanthropic projects.” Usmanov began making his fortune when he was a senior manager at Russian state gas company Gazprom in the 1990s, leveraging that role to build an industrial conglomerate involved in steel, copper, telecommunications, technology and the media. Both Usmanov and Ismailova have filed formal appeals against the EU restrictions, along with more than a dozen other Russian oligarchs. The lobbying from Tashkent comes as the EU seeks to build closer ties with Uzbekistan and other central Asian countries as the region reassesses its relationship with Russia in light of the war in Ukraine. Any move to lift sanctions against Usmanov and Ismailova would require unanimous approval from all 27 EU members and potentially open similar discussions for dozens of other Russian oligarchs with dual citizenship who are subject to sanctions, multiple EU officials told the Financial Times. “Mr. Usmanov has allegedly supported President Putin and resolved his professional problems,” the EU wrote in its initial justification for sanctioning the businessman on February 28. and the destabilization of Ukraine”. A spokesman for the European Commission said it does not comment on meetings between the bloc and third countries and that discussions on sanctions issues were confidential. “The EU sanctions regime gives all listed individuals and entities the possibility to legally challenge the listing at the European Court of Justice,” said Peter Stano, chief spokesperson for foreign affairs and security policy. Recommended German police raided offices of Swiss bank UBS in Frankfurt and Munich on Tuesday in connection with a money-laundering investigation against Usmanov. A spokesman for Usmanov “categorically” rejected any allegations of money laundering or tax evasion on his part. The 156-metre Dilbar, the world’s largest superyacht, was seized by Germany in March, days after the sanctions were imposed. Properties linked to Usmanov in Germany were raided by police in September. Usmanov’s other sister, Saodat Narzieva, was removed from the EU’s sanctions list in September after she successfully appealed the rulings, which her representatives said were “based on false accusations”. The EU initially justified its sanctions against Narzieva on reports by the Guardian newspaper and the Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project, citing what they claimed were documents linking her to bank accounts linked to Usmanov. The bloc also fears that detailed examinations of individual sanctions could spark a debate over the overall legality of its decision to punish Putin’s war businessmen and the supporting evidence he has provided to justify the sanctions.
