EU General Court rejects Abramovich challenge, upholds Russia sanctions
The EU General Court rejected Roman Abramovich’s latest challenge to sanctions imposed over Russia’s war against Ukraine, ruling that his substantial holdings in Russia’s steel and mining sectors justified the restrictions.
LUXEMBOURG, September 9, 2026 — The European Union’s General Court on Wednesday dismissed Roman Abramovich’s challenge to EU restrictive measures and upheld Council acts maintaining an asset freeze and travel restrictions against the Russian businessman.
The court said the EU’s designation criteria for leading businesspeople operating in sectors that provide substantial revenue to the Russian government were objective, sufficiently precise and proportionate. It rejected Abramovich’s claim that the measures were effectively adopted by Council working groups rather than the Council itself.
Judges said Abramovich’s designation was based on the scale of his business interests rather than an attempt to target him because of his public profile. The court highlighted his position as majority shareholder in Evraz, whose group operates in Russia’s steel and mining sectors, as well as his holdings in Norilsk Nickel, a major palladium producer and refined nickel market participant. The court concluded that those sectors constitute a substantial source of revenue for the Russian government.
Abramovich had sought annulment of Council measures that extended the restrictions, first until Sept. 15, 2025, and subsequently until March 15, 2026. He also sought compensation for alleged non-material damage arising from their adoption. The General Court rejected both elements of the action.
The judgment marks another unsuccessful sanctions challenge by Abramovich. The General Court previously dismissed cases brought by him in December 2023 and September 2025 concerning his inclusion and continued presence on the EU sanctions list.
The court also found that the restrictions complied with EU fundamental rights requirements, including rules governing limitations on freedom of movement, noting that the sanctions regime provides for exemptions and periodic reviews and is proportionate to the EU objective of promoting a peaceful resolution of the Ukraine crisis.
Abramovich may appeal the ruling to the EU Court of Justice on points of law within two months and 10 days of notification of the decision.
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