Russian Tycoon's Personal Networks Helped Beat EU on Sanctions

The piece reports that the European Union sanctions linked to Russia’s war in Ukraine were avoided by major tycoons including Alisher Usmanov and Mikhail Fridman, who have prominent profiles in business circles. However, it says there is little evidence that President Vladimir Putin directly influenced the outcome. Instead, the article points to a web of relationships connecting Usmanov and other leaders, suggesting that personal networks played a key role in how sanctions were beaten or escaped. With only a short excerpt provided, the core takeaway is the emphasis on interpersonal connections rather than state direction behind the sanction outcomes.