France, Oct. 8 -- The EU sanctioned Usmanov, a metals tycoon with close ties to Putin, after Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 - and removed him from its list on 22 September this year, following a push from France.

Diplomats told news agency Reuters that France had come under pressure from Azerbaijan, which was holding French citizens - a claim Azerbaijan has denied.

France also requested the removal of Russian billionaire Mikhail Fridman. While he was also removed from the EU's list, this was granted at Luxembourg's request.

Kara-Murza was arrested in Moscow in April 2022 after speaking out against the war in Ukraine and sentenced to 25 years imprisonment for treason and other charges. He was freed in a major E...