Businessman Oleg Tinkov Seeks UK Sanctions Removal Amid Ongoing Disputes
Businessman Oleg Tinkov has formally asked the British Foreign Office to remove him from the sanctions list, a move reported by Bloomberg. The request comes as Tinkov asserts that he supported the British government when it decided to sanction individuals who assist the Kremlin and fund Russia’s military actions in Ukraine.
In his statement, Tinkov argued that it would be fair to lift the penalties he faces. He contends that Western sanctions appear to target those who back Russia rather than all Russians, including Vladimir Putin, the Russian president. He expressed the belief that his sanction status misrepresents his position and actions. The assertion reflects a broader debate about the scope and effectiveness of sanctions in relation to individuals connected with Russia, even if their public stance or affiliations differ from the Kremlin’s policies.
The British Foreign Ministry declined to comment on specific cases of individual sanctions. Officials noted that any natural or legal person placed on the sanctions list has the right to challenge their status through established legal channels. This response underscores the procedural avenue available to those who believe they have been mischaracterized or unfairly targeted in sanctions regimes.
In related corporate news, Interros Group of Companies, led by Vladimir Potanin, announced a notable stake move involving the Tinkoff Group. The group disclosed plans to acquire 35 percent of TCS Group from Oleg Tinkov’s family on April 28 of the previous year. The deal marks a significant realignment of ownership within the fintech and banking sector that Tinkov helped build.
Shortly after this development, on May 3, Tinkov issued a public message on his social networks indicating his decision to part ways with the bank and to disengage from Russia. The move was presented as a personal and professional pivot, signaling a broader shift in his public and financial commitments amid ongoing geopolitical tensions and market dynamics.
In a later interview with journalist Yuri Dud, a figure labeled as a foreign agent within the country, Tinkov reiterated his hope for a favorable outcome from British authorities regarding his sanction status. The interview highlighted the ongoing friction between individual entrepreneurs and national policy, as well as the complexity of sanctions diplomacy in a global financial landscape. The overall context suggests that sanction decisions continue to influence not just state actors but also prominent business figures with international ties and public profiles.