EU Faces Legal Wave as Sanctioned Russians Refuse to Back Down

Leading sanctions barristers in Brussels and Paris confirm that individuals and entities subjected to asset freezes and visa bans are systemically contesting every renewal of the restrictive regime. Thierry Bontinck, whose high-profile clientele includes Roman Abramovich, Oleg Deripaska, and Gennady Timchenko, notes that the flow of legal challenges remains steady. This trend extends beyond Russian nationals, as foreign companies from India and China also seek legal recourse against the measures.

While the EU has sanctioned roughly 3,000 entities and individuals linked to the invasion of Ukraine, the prohibitive cost of litigation—often reaching €500,000 per case—effectively sidelines most mid-ranking officials. However, wealthy individuals who have lost significant assets, alongside firms within the broader Russian sphere of influence, continue to dominate the docket. In 2025, these parties filed 84 of the 125 new sanctions-related cases at the EU’s General Court. Paris-based lawyer William Julié, who represents oil magnate Farkhad Akhmedov, argues that this legal activity serves a necessary function by stress-testing the legality of EU sanctions and upholding the rule of law.