France and Slovakia force a seven-day rollover of EU Russia listings
France and Slovakia blocked a full renewal of the EU's individual Russia sanctions by seeking Alisher Usmanov's removal from the list. Ambassadors extended the measures until 22 September. UA.NEWS reports Slovakia also wants Mikhail Fridman delisted, while Paris does not. Ireland's EU Council presidency said renewing the lists remains a priority.
Geopolitics··Evening
A one-week patch before 15 September
France and Slovakia blocked a full renewal of the EU's individual Russia sanctions by seeking Alisher Usmanov's removal from the list. Ambassadors extended the measures for one week, until 22 September, to stop them lapsing. The listings cover almost 3,000 individuals and entities accused of backing Russia's war against Ukraine. Slovakia has long sought to delist Usmanov and Mikhail Fridman; France joined the Usmanov request, citing a national-security issue and approaches from international partners without giving details.[1]
Fridman is Slovakia's extra name
UA.NEWS says EU ambassadors extended individual Russia sanctions by seven days on 14 September after Slovakia and France demanded that Alisher Usmanov, and in Slovakia's case Mikhail Fridman, come off the list. The new deadline is midnight on 22 September. Paris is not demanding Fridman's removal. Coreper could not reach a full consensus on Monday. Ireland's EU Council presidency said extending the lists remains a priority so pressure stays on people and companies that support Russia's war machine.[2]
Twelve months versus six, still unsettled
Member states are also split on whether to move individual sanctions from the customary six-month cycle toward a 12-month cycle aligned with economic sanctions extended in June. Euronews quotes a French diplomat saying Paris wanted to respond positively to partners approaching it regarding Usmanov. UA.NEWS notes that Slovakia had already blocked earlier September Coreper meetings. Neither report says Usmanov or Fridman has been removed; the week is extra time to keep the rest of the list in force.[1], [2]
