EU extends sanctions against Putin and Lavrov for only seven days as further consultations needed

The Committee of Permanent Representatives of EU member states (Coreper) in Brussels extended the sanctions regime over violations of Ukraine's territorial integrity and sovereignty for seven days on 14 September, as Slovakia and France continue to insist that two Russian oligarchs be removed from the list.

Source: European Pravda's Brussels correspondent, citing diplomatic sources in the EU

Details: EU ambassadors were able to extend sanctions against Russians responsible for violating Ukraine's territorial integrity for only seven days, until midnight on 22 September.

Sources in the Irish Presidency told European Pravda's correspondent. "Coreper reconvened this afternoon to discuss the rollover of the Ukraine Territorial Integrity regime. 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."

Diplomats hope that consensus can be reached during this time on extending the sanctions regime, which, it should be noted, includes Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and other notorious Russian leaders.

"Renewal of the listings is essential to continue undermining Russia's war machine, and keeping the pressure on those individuals and entities supporting, enabling and benefitting from it. This is a priority for the Presidency," Irish diplomats told European Pravda.

Background:

• It was reported earlier that the extension of the sanctions regime stalled because Slovakia is demanding that Russian oligarchs Mikhail Fridman and Alisher Usmanov be removed from the sanctions list, while France joined the demand to remove Usmanov as far back as 11 September.
• On 12 September, European Pravda sources in French diplomatic circles explained why Paris wants sanctions lifted on Usmanov.
• It was also reported earlier that EU ambassadors once again were unable to agree on extending personal sanctions over Russian aggression on 11 September due to demands from Slovakia and France as to changes to the lists of individuals under personal sanctions.
• The last extension of personal sanctions took place on 14 March. Then too, Slovakia pushed until the final hours on that occasion for Russian oligarchs Mikhail Fridman and Alisher Usmanov to be removed from the list.

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