EU sanctions extension on Russia stalls over oligarchs Usmanov and Fridman
Photo: EU countries fail to agree on extending sanctions against Russia (Getty Images)
EU countries failed to agree on extending sanctions against Russia at a meeting in Brussels. They were unable to reach a consensus due to disagreements over sanctions on two Russian oligarchs, Politico reports.
The sanctions regime governing the freezing of assets belonging to around 3,000 Russian individuals and entities expires on Tuesday, September 15. To renew the restrictions, ambassadors from all EU member states needed to reach a consensus.
Slovakia demanded that the EU remove two Russian oligarchs — Alisher Usmanov and Mikhail Fridman — from the sanctions list. In response, France proposed a compromise that would lift sanctions only on Usmanov. A French diplomat explained that the initiative was motivated by national security concerns and a response to requests from international partners.
Most diplomats from other European capitals strongly opposed any exemptions. They stressed that lifting the restrictions would be unacceptable amid Russia’s record missile strikes on civilian targets in Ukraine and growing hybrid threats near NATO’s borders.
Disputes have also emerged over the duration of the sanctions. The EU is considering extending the restrictions for 12 months at a time, while Slovakia supports only the standard six-month term that has been in place since 2014.
As no common position has been reached, EU ambassadors will meet again today in an attempt to find a solution before the sanctions regime expires.
Earlier, Brussels-based journalist Rikard Jozwiak reported that France and Slovakia were blocking the extension of EU sanctions against Russia, demanding to lift restrictions on Fridman and Usmanov.
