EU once again fails to extend sanctions on Putin due to Slovak and French demands

The Committee of Permanent Representatives of EU member states (Coreper) has held its second meeting to discuss the extension of sanctions for Russia's violation of Ukraine's territorial integrity and sovereignty for 36 months, but has still not reached a decision and hopes to do so later today.

Source: European diplomats speaking to European Pravda on condition of anonymity

Details: The EU has been unable to take a decision on extending sanctions against Russian ruler Vladimir Putin, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, former Ukrainian MP Viktor Medvedchuk and former Ukrainian president Viktor Yanukovych.

One European Pravda source said: "Coreper was unable to reach a compromise during its second meeting today. The discussions are continuing. A decision may be reached today, but no new meeting of EU ambassadors has been scheduled yet."

Another source said the possibility that the discussion could continue on 22 September could not be ruled out.

The current sanctions regime is due to expire at midnight on 22 September.

The main sticking point remains Slovakia's demand that Russian oligarchs Alisher Usmanov and Mikhail Fridman be removed from the sanctions list. France has also been insisting on Usmanov's removal, citing national interests.

European Pravda previously reported, citing sources, that a compromise option is being considered: Usmanov and Fridman may be delisted in exchange for a 36-month extension of the sanctions regime.

The current sanctions list, which the EU first began to draw up in 2014, covers individuals and legal entities responsible for actions that undermine or threaten Ukraine's territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence. Putin, Russia's ruling elite, leading oligarchs and Yanukovych have been on the list since 2022.

Background:

• On 14 September, Coreper extended the sanctions regime for violations of Ukraine's territorial integrity and sovereignty for seven days as Slovakia and France continued to insist that the two Russian oligarchs be removed from the list.
• European Pravda sources in French diplomatic circles explained why Paris wants to lift sanctions on Usmanov. It later emerged that France plans to "exchange" Usmanov's delisting for the release of several French citizens who are currently in prison in Azerbaijan.
• The last extension of personal sanctions took place on 14 March. On that occasion, too, Slovakia pushed until the last minute for Fridman and Usmanov to be removed from the list.

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