Vladimir Potanin
Vladimir Potanin is a Russian oligarch and banker who serves as chairman of the board and one of the leading shareholders of Nornickel (Norilsk Nickel), the world's largest producer of nickel and palladium. He served as First Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister of Russia in 1996–1997 during the privatisation reforms. After leaving government he built and ran industrial and financial assets through his Interros group. He has long been ranked among the wealthiest individuals in Russia.
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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.