After years of negotiations, Brexit was finalized with the formal conclusion of a trade agreement on December 29, 2020. This agreement not only ended the long-standing uncertainty between the UK and the EU but also established the post-Brexit trade framework for both sides. At the time, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced the news via personal social media, symbolizing the formal signing of a "divorce settlement" between the UK and the EU and laying the foundation for a new phase in their relationship. This event had a profound impact on the overall European economic landscape, altering trade rules between the UK and Central and Western European nations—including the Netherlands, France, and Germany—and redefining the UK's position in European geopolitics.

Over time, the EU's policy focus has shifted from Brexit negotiations to more complex international sanctions and geopolitical maneuvering. According to a report by The Moscow Times in September 2026, the EU recently made a major decision to remove Russian billionaires Alisher Usmanov and Mikhail Fridman from its sanctions list. This decision indicates that the EU is dynamically adjusting its economic sanctions policy in the wake of the Russia-Ukraine conflict. This move has not only sparked international discussion regarding the effectiveness of sanctions but also reflects the dual considerations of legal scrutiny and diplomatic strategy that the EU faces when dealing with sanctions against high-net-worth individuals associated with Russia.

However, there remain discrepancies in information regarding the specific legal basis and subsequent impact of the EU's removal of individuals from the sanctions list. While The Moscow Times confirmed that Usmanov and Fridman are no longer on the list, the EU has yet to provide a comprehensive and consistent public explanation regarding the specific negotiation details behind this move, or whether it involves the unfreezing of assets or future entry permits for the individuals concerned. Furthermore, regarding the long-term economic effectiveness of the Brexit agreement, current data indicates that trade barriers between the UK and the EU remain a challenge that industries on both sides must continue to adapt to; compared to the optimistic expectations at the time of signing, actual implementation faces more administrative and logistical challenges.

For European industries, these two major policy changes have directly impacted cross-border business operations. Following Brexit, companies have had to adapt to new customs procedures and regulatory differences, which has created a significant administrative burden for industries reliant on European supply chains. On the other hand, the adjustment of the EU's sanctions list against Russia has affected investment confidence in sectors such as energy, finance, and logistics. Particularly for multinational corporations with bases in Europe, balancing EU sanctions policy with global market positioning has become a core issue in corporate risk management. These policy changes are not merely political decisions; they profoundly affect the economic stability and business environment of European nations.

It should be noted that the EU's move to remove individuals from the sanctions list should not be over-interpreted as a comprehensive shift in the EU's policy toward Russia. Most analysts believe that such adjustments are largely based on legal reviews rather than a fundamental change in political stance. Similarly, there are significant differences in opinion regarding the economic impact of Brexit; some emphasize the advantages of autonomy gained, while others focus on the negative impact of rising trade costs on industries. Therefore, when interpreting these policies, it is essential to distinguish between short-term legal operations and long-term strategic intentions, avoiding the mistake of viewing a single event as a definitive conclusion for Europe's overall foreign policy.

Future observations will focus on the trends in the EU's sanctions list regarding Russia, as well as whether the UK and the EU will further refine details under the existing trade agreement. As global climate change and energy transition issues become increasingly urgent, how European nations coordinate energy dealings with Russia while formulating energy policies, and how they mitigate the impact of Brexit on green industry supply chains, will be at the core of European public policy in the coming years. Additionally, observing whether the EU will establish a more transparent review mechanism for similar sanctions cases will be an important indicator for measuring the rule of law and political transparency in Europe.