Removing Russian oligarchs from sanctions list sets 'a very bad precedent', Browder says

Updated: 07/10/2026 - 10:18 GMT+2 Edited copy ADVERTISEMENT ADVERTISEMENT Bill Browder, once Russia’s largest foreign investor, said sanctions are the “worst thing” that can happen to Russian oligarchs, adding that they are “scheming and trying to come up with ways of getting off the sanctions list”. The EU recently renewed its sanctions against Russia while removing businessmen Alisher Usmanov and Mikhail Fridman from the list. Browder believes the only way the war will end is if sanctions inflict “enough economic damage” on Russia that it can no longer “afford the war”. Russian President Vladimir Putin “is ready to starve his whole country completely”, Browder said, calling for “more sanctions” against Moscow until Putin can no longer “physically afford to carry on the war”.