EU seeks compromise over France's resistance to Russia sanctions extension

The Irish presidency of the Council of the EU and the European External Action Service (EEAS) have proposed a compromise to overcome France's resistance to extending sanctions against Russia.

Source: European Pravda, citing Financial Times

Details: This week, France and Slovakia blocked a proposal for a 12-month renewal of all sanctions, demanding the removal of Russian-Uzbek billionaire Alisher Usmanov from the list.

France's demand is linked to a proposed deal with Azerbaijan regarding the release of French citizens.

This situation forced a temporary one-week extension of the sanctions on Monday 14 September, and officials have since been trying to find a workaround.

Ambassadors of the EU's 27 member states meet again on 18 September to attempt to break the deadlock.

Sources of the publication said that the EU Council's current chair, Ireland, and the EEAS had proposed possible compromises that would allow Usmanov to remain on the list whilst lifting some restrictions, which include a freeze of assets and an EU travel ban.

Participants in the discussions noted that some countries, including Germany and Italy, indicated that they might be able to agree to France's request, but many others remain sceptical about using EU sanctions for national interests.

A third group remains firmly opposed to any steps that, in their view, would weaken the sanctions regime and set a dangerous precedent.

"If member states start unpacking sanctions and taking off sharp edges, it creates a legal precedent which would be very useful for other oligarchs fighting EU sanctions in court," noted one EU diplomat, adding that he sees no way to satisfy all parties.

Usmanov, who has longstanding business interests in Russia and ties to Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin, has been subject to EU sanctions since the very beginning of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

Background:

• On 11 September, EU ambassadors again failed to agree on extending personal sanctions for Russia's aggression due to demands from Slovakia and France regarding changes to the lists of sanctioned individuals.
• The previous time, personal sanctions were extended on 14 March. Back then, Slovakia also fought until the last moment to exclude Russian oligarchs Mihail Fridman and Alisher Usmanov from the list.
• On 12 September, European Pravda sources in French diplomatic circles explained why Paris wants to lift sanctions on Usmanov.
• On 16 September, during a speech in the European Parliament, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen stated that sanctions against Russia must be extended.

Subscribe on Patreon to back our journalism long-term.