EXCLUSIVE: France Joins Slovakia in Asking to Delist Russia's Usmanov
France and Slovakia’s push to remove Alisher Usmanov from the blacklist is blocking unanimous approval for a sanctions extension covering more than 3,000 targets.
- On Friday, France joined Slovakia in seeking to delist Russian-Uzbek businessman Alisher Usmanov from European Union sanctions, causing "huge frustration" among other member states ahead of the September 15 expiration deadline.
- EU sanctions require unanimous approval for renewal, allowing a single country to veto extensions; Slovakia has repeatedly opposed renewal, demanding removal of both Usmanov and Israeli-Russian businessman Mikhail Fridman.
- Paris calculated Slovakia would drop its demands by framing the push as a "political compromise," though the move exacerbates tensions amid escalating hybrid threats in Europe, including recent drone incursions in NATO airspace.
- Ambassadors are scheduled to meet again on Monday, one day before the measures expire on September 15, facing intense pressure to reach a political agreement before the deadline.
- The current sanctions regime targets more than 3,000 individuals linked to Russia's military-industrial complex, with individual listings historically renewed every six months but now considering a 12-month renewal cycle.
22 Articles
22 Articles
The decision was objected to by France and Slovakia, and the sanctions in force are due to expire on Tuesday.
France has supported Slovakia in demanding that Russian businessman Alisher Usmanov be removed from the EU sanctions list, Euronews reports, citing sources
France has supported Slovakia in demanding that Russian businessman Alisher Usmanov be removed from the EU sanctions list, Euronews reports, citing sources. According to the publication, this step by France caused...
EU postponed decision on extension of sanctions against Russia - media EU ambassadors have <p>not agreed on the extension of sanctions against Russia and will meet on September 14. Slovakia and France demand to be excluded from “Blacklist” by Alisher Usmanov.</p>
On September 11, the ambassadors of the European Union again failed to agree on the extension of personal sanctions imposed in connection with the Russian aggression against Ukraine. The existing borders are already established on September 15, and for them the extension requires the unanimous support of all 27 EU member states. In the absence of contractuality, the editor of Radio Svoboda, at the request of Europe, Rikard Yozvyak, agreed. Accor…
France supported Slovakia's initiative to remove Russian businessman Alisher Usmanov from the European sanctions lists, which caused discontent among other European countries, reported Euronews. "The French Government joined Slovakia in trying to get Russian-Uzbek businessman Alisher Usmanov off the sanctions list," states Euronews. A similar move by the French authorities has caused great irritation among European partners, notes the television…
Coverage Details
Bias Distribution
- 45% of the sources lean Left
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