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 renews Ukraine-related sanctions for three years, removes Usmanov and Fridman; Azerbaijan's Aliyev pardons French detainee Martin Ryan
On 22 September 2026, the Council of the European Union extended its Ukraine-related sanctions regime by 36 months, until 22 September 2029. At the same time, the EU removed Russian oligarchs Alisher Usmanov and Mikhail Fridman from the list. The day after, on 23 September, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev signed a decree pardoning 20 people, including French citizen Martin Ryan, who had been sentenced to ten years in prison for espionage in March 2026. Reports link France's push for Usmanov's delisting to a non-public arrangement with Azerbaijan over French detainees, including Ryan. Ukraine said it was not consulted and called the decision "shameful".