Roman Abramovich loses third EU sanctions appeal

Roman Abramovich lost his third attempt to overturn European Union sanctions on Wednesday, when the EU General Court rejected his challenge to measures imposed over Russia’s war in Ukraine.

The Russian billionaire and former Chelsea football club owner was added to the EU asset freeze and visa ban list in 2022 after Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine.

The court rejected Abramovich’s argument that the bloc had unfairly sought to exploit him because of his public notoriety.

It said Abramovich was listed legally because he had stakes in metals companies Evraz and Norilsk Nickel, which the court said provided “a substantial source of revenue” for the Russian government.

Abramovich had two previous cases rejected in 2023 and 2025. He is among several Russian businessmen challenging EU sanctions.