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-related sanctions for three years but removes Usmanov and Fridman from the list
On 22 September the EU Council extended restrictive measures against persons responsible for undermining or threatening Ukraine's territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence for an unprecedented 36 months, until 22 September 2029. In the same package, Russian oligarchs Alisher Usmanov and Mikhail Fridman were removed from the sanctions list. Ukraine called the delisting shameful and unjustified and proposed adding Vladimir Lisin and Vladimir Potanin as replacements.
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EU extends Ukraine-related sanctions 36 months but drops Usmanov and Fridman after Azerbaijan hostage deal
On 22 September the EU Council extended its sanctions regime against persons responsible for actions undermining Ukraine's territorial integrity for 36 months, until 22 September 2029. In the same decision it removed Russian oligarchs Alisher Usmanov and Mikhail Fridman from the list. Reporting links the delisting to France's lobbying to free French citizens held in Azerbaijan, and on 23 September Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev pardoned French citizen Martin Ryan.