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EU ambassadors fail again to extend Russia sanctions over Usmanov dispute

EU ambassadors meeting on September 18 failed for a second time to agree on extending EU sanctions against Russia, blocked by France and Slovakia demanding the removal of Russian-Uzbek billionaire Alisher Usmanov from the list. The Irish Presidency and the European External Action Service proposed a compromise that would keep Usmanov listed but lift some restrictions, and Coreper scheduled further talks for September 21, with the current sanctions regime set to expire on September 22.

Key points

  • EU Coreper failed on September 18 to reach agreement on extending the sanctions regime on Ukraine's territorial integrity and sovereignty.
  • France and Slovakia are demanding the removal of Alisher Usmanov, sanctioned since 2022 over Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
  • France's demand is linked to a proposed deal with Azerbaijan concerning the release of French citizens held there.
  • The Irish Presidency and EEAS proposed a compromise keeping Usmanov on the list but lifting some restrictions, including asset freezes and the EU entry ban.
  • The current sanctions regime, covering nearly 3,000 individuals and entities including Vladimir Putin and Sergei Lavrov, expires at midnight on September 22.
  • Germany and Italy indicated they could potentially agree to France's request; a third group of member states opposes any weakening of the regime.
  • An EU diplomat warned that loosening sanctions would create a legal precedent useful for other sanctioned oligarchs in court.

Why it matters

The deadlock puts at risk the entire EU personal sanctions regime covering nearly 3,000 individuals and entities linked to Russia's war against Ukraine, with the current framework set to expire on September 22. France's reported willingness to trade the removal of Usmanov for the release of French citizens held in Azerbaijan raises concerns that EU sanctions could be used as leverage for unrelated national foreign-policy goals. EU diplomats warn that any concession could create a legal precedent enabling other sanctioned oligarchs to challenge EU measures in court.

What happened

On September 18, the EU's Committee of Permanent Representatives (Coreper) met and failed for a second time to agree on extending sanctions against Russia. France and Slovakia are blocking a 12-month renewal of the personal sanctions regime, insisting that Alisher Usmanov be removed from the list. According to the Financial Times, the Irish Presidency of the EU Council and the European External Action Service have proposed a compromise that would keep Usmanov listed but lift some restrictions, including asset freezes and the EU entry ban. France's push to remove Usmanov is reportedly tied to a proposed deal with Azerbaijan over French citizens held there. Germany and Italy indicated they could potentially agree to France's request, while a third group of member states remains firmly opposed to any steps seen as weakening the regime. An EU diplomat warned that loosening sanctions would set a legal precedent useful for other oligarchs challenging EU measures in court and said there was no way to satisfy all parties. Coreper scheduled the next meeting for Monday, September 21; the existing sanctions expire at midnight on September 22.

How Ukrainian sources describe it

All six supplied articles are Ukrainian-language media covering the same EU sanctions deadlock. The reporting emphasizes the risk of the sanctions regime lapsing and frames France's and Slovakia's demands as obstacles to maintaining pressure on Russia. Headlines foreground the failure of EU ambassadors to reach agreement and the search for a compromise, underscoring the diplomatic stakes for Ukraine.

Where reporting differs

Sources disagree on the timing of the follow-up EU ambassadors' meeting to break the deadlock: some say September 18, others reference a Friday meeting, and the latest Coreper outcome schedules the next meeting for Monday, September 21.

Background

Alisher Usmanov has been under EU sanctions since the start of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022 and is described as having long-standing business interests in Russia and ties to Vladimir Putin. The previous extension of personal sanctions occurred on March 14, during which Slovakia pushed until the last moment to remove Usmanov and Mikhail Fridman. On September 16, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen told the European Parliament that sanctions against Russia must be continued. The Irish Presidency and the EEAS brokered the compromise proposal reported by the Financial Times.