Arkady Volozh, co‑founder of the Internet company Yandex, has asked EU authorities to remove him from the sanctions list, according to reports from major outlets. The Financial Times cites sources claiming that Volozh’s legal team has submitted a formal request to review the restrictions placed on him by the European Union. EU officials are expected to assess the petition in the coming month.
People close to Volozh indicate that the entrepreneur hopes the EU will decline to renew the sanctions, which were set to expire on September 15. The outcome of the review could influence the extent of restrictions still attached to his name and activities within the bloc.
Volozh has publicly opposed Russia’s decision to initiate a military operation and, as a result, stepped down from his CEO role at Yandex and from senior posts in the company’s overseas subsidiaries in June 2022 after being added to the EU sanctions list. He marked his departure from the organization at the end of December, bidding farewell to colleagues.
In other European matters, Oleg Tinkov was reported to have left the sanctions list after renouncing Russian citizenship, a move the press notes occurred in March 2022. The evolving landscape of sanctions continues to affect business leaders with ties to Russia and their global operations.
Observations in the broader business community highlight that sanction regulations often intersect with corporate governance, citizenship decisions, and strategic shifts within multinational tech groups. Analysts emphasize that sanctions policy can influence investment climates, boardroom choices, and the international reach of technology platforms across Europe and North America.
As discussions around sanctions proceed, stakeholders remain attentive to the potential for policy changes, the timing of official decisions, and the implications for cross‑border business activity tied to individuals named in the listings. The evolving status of these cases illustrates how political actions can shape the pathways available to founders and executives who helped build global tech ecosystems.
The reporting underscores the importance for companies and investors to monitor regulatory developments, understand how sanctions are applied, and consider the reputational and operational effects that follow any modification or removal of such measures.