Ramzan Kadyrov
Ramzan Kadyrov is a Russian politician of Chechen origin who has headed the Chechen Republic since 2007. The son of Akhmad Kadyrov, the republic's first president, he assumed power after his father's assassination and has consolidated de facto control over Chechnya. He is known for a hardline stance against the armed insurgency in the North Caucasus and for his outspoken loyalty to the Kremlin. He has been placed under international sanctions in connection with Russia's war against Ukraine.
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EU extends Ukraine sanctions for three years but drops Usmanov and Fridman, prompting Ukrainian criticism
On 22 September, the EU Council extended Ukraine-related sanctions for 36 months until 22 September 2029, the first time the regime has been renewed for three years instead of the usual six-month cycle. In the same decision, the EU removed Russian oligarchs Alisher Usmanov and Mikhail Fridman from the list. Ukraine called the delisting "shameful" and unjustified, and the Baltic states announced national sanctions in response. A day later, on 23 September, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev pardoned French citizen Martin Ryan, who had been sentenced to ten years in prison on espionage charges that France rejects.