47 mins ago
EU Envoys Extend Russia Sanctions Deadline Amid Usmanov De-listing Debate
The European Union has sanctions against many Russian companies and people.
These sanctions can freeze assets and stop listed people from traveling to the EU.
The sanctions were supposed to expire on September 15.
EU countries could not agree on renewing them for six months.
So, they extended them for one more week, until September 22.
One disagreement concerns whether Alisher Usmanov should remain on the sanctions list.
France and Slovakia want him removed, saying there are national security concerns.
Other EU countries have not yet agreed, and all 27 countries must approve the renewal.
EU ambassadors extended Russia sanctions listings by seven days to September 22.
The sanctions, covering nearly 3,000 companies and individuals, were due to expire September 15.
Member states failed to reach unanimous agreement on the usual six-month renewal.
France and Slovakia have called for Russian-Uzbek billionaire Alisher Usmanov to be removed from the list.
France cited national security concerns while also supporting continued pressure on Russia and Ukraine.
- Who
- EU member states, with France and Slovakia advocating Alisher Usmanov’s removal from the sanctions list.
- What
- EU envoys extended Russia sanctions listings by seven days after failing to agree on a six-month renewal.
- Where
- Brussels, within the European Union’s Coreper process.
- When
- The decision was reported on September 14; the listings were extended from September 15 until September 22.
- Why
- Additional time was needed to examine renewal proposals, including the dispute over whether to de-list Usmanov.
Maintain sanctions listings
Remove Usmanov from the list
Usmanov’s designation
Maintain sanctions listings
The EU sanctions regime remains in force while member states consider its renewal, and the broader policy is intended to pressure Russia’s war machine.
Remove Usmanov from the list
France and Slovakia have called for Alisher Usmanov to be de-listed, with France citing national security concerns.
Renewal timeline
Maintain sanctions listings
A six-month renewal would preserve the sanctions framework without a short-term lapse, subject to unanimous EU approval.
Remove Usmanov from the list
Additional time is needed to examine proposals, and member states have not yet reached agreement on the renewal.
Key facts
- Extension period
- Seven days, until midnight September 22
- Previous expiry date
- September 15
- Sanctions coverage
- Nearly 3,000 companies and individuals
- Sanctions measures
- Asset freezes and travel bans
- Renewal requirement
- Unanimous approval from all 27 EU member states
- Disputed listing
- Alisher Usmanov
- French position
- Support continued pressure on Russia while seeking a positive response to partners regarding Usmanov
Quotes
A French diplomatic source
An unnamed French diplomatic source commenting on France’s position toward Russia sanctions
“In order to allow additional time for member states to comprehensively examine proposals for the renewal, Coreper has agreed to prolong the regime by a period of 7 days, until midnight Tuesday 22 September.”
theprint.in
“France is one of the countries most committed to increasing pressure — by all means — on the Russian war machine, as well as to supporting Ukraine.”
theprint.in
Sources
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