EU postpones Russia sanctions extension amid dispute over Usmanov

EU member states postponed the deadline for renewing or extending part of the sanctions against Russia over the war in Ukraine. They took the step after France advocated removing billionaire Alisher Usmanov from the list of sanctioned individuals and entities, French news agency AFP reported.

Sanctions against nearly 3,000 individuals and entities would expire on Wednesday unless extended, CE Report quotes STA.

Representatives of the EU's 27 member states have not yet reached an agreement on the extension, but they agreed to postpone the deadline by one week after France called for the Uzbek-Russian billionaire Usmanov to be removed from the sanctions list. Usmanov was added to the list in 2022 over his close ties to the Kremlin.

"Consultations will continue, and further discussions are also expected. Extending the list is essential to further weakening Russia's war machine and maintaining pressure on those individuals and entities that support, enable and benefit from it," a spokesperson for the Irish presidency of the Council of the EU said.

Several EU diplomats said France surprised its colleagues by joining Slovakia's call to remove Usmanov from the list. They added that Paris had not provided a clear reason, reportedly stating only that the move was necessary for "national security."

Meanwhile, the Financial Times, citing sources, reported that Paris was seeking Usmanov's removal from the sanctions list as part of a deal to secure the release of prisoners involving several French citizens detained in Azerbaijan.

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