EU extends Russia-linked sanctions by just seven days amid Slovakia and France dispute
The EU's Committee of Permanent Representatives in Brussels extended the sanctions regime tied to the violation of Ukraine's territorial integrity for only seven days, until 22 September. Slovakia and France are blocking a longer renewal by demanding the removal of Russian oligarchs Mikhail Fridman and Alisher Usmanov from the list.
Key points
- Coreper extended the EU sanctions regime on Ukraine's territorial integrity by seven days, until midnight on 22 September.
- Slovakia is insisting on removing Mikhail Fridman and Alisher Usmanov from the sanctions list.
- France joined the demand to remove Usmanov on 11 September, citing national security issues and requests from international partners.
- On 11 September, EU ambassadors failed to agree on a longer extension due to the Franco-Slovak objections.
- The list includes Vladimir Putin and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov among other Russian officials.
- Previous extension of the personal sanctions regime was approved on 14 March, when Slovakia similarly pushed at the last moment to delist Fridman and Usmanov.
- Diplomats say failure to reach unanimity by 22 September would cause the entire EU sanctions regime against Russia to lapse.
Why it matters
The unusually short, week-long extension signals serious internal disagreement among EU member states over the sanctions regime tied to Russia's aggression against Ukraine. Slovakia and France are pushing to del individual Russian oligarchs, a move that could weaken the EU's sanctions architecture and the pressure on the Kremlin. If no consensus is reached before 22 September, the sanctions covering figures including Vladimir Putin and Sergei Lavrov could lapse.
What happened
On 14 September, the EU's Committee of Permanent Representatives (Coreper) in Brussels extended the sanctions regime concerning the violation of Ukraine's territorial integrity and sovereignty for seven days, until midnight on 22 September. The short extension came after EU ambassadors failed to agree on a longer renewal on 11 September because Slovakia and France are demanding changes to the list of sanctioned persons. Slovakia insists on removing Russian oligarchs Mikhail Fridman and Alisher Usmanov; France joined the call to delist Usmanov on 11 September. Diplomats have expressed hope that a broader consensus can be reached within the seven-day window, but warn that without unanimity the entire EU sanctions regime against Russia would collapse.
How Ukrainian sources describe it
Ukrainian-language media frame the story around the EU's difficulty sustaining sanctions, emphasizing the unusually short seven-day extension and the role of Slovakia and France as obstacles to a longer renewal.
Background
The previous extension of the personal sanctions regime was approved on 14 March. During that March extension, Slovakia similarly pushed at the last moment to have Fridman and Usmanov removed from the list. The sanctioned list includes Vladimir Putin and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, among other Russian officials. The Irish Presidency of the EU has framed renewing the sanctions lists as a priority needed to continue undermining Russia's war machine.