EU nears deal to break impasse over French request to remove Usmanov from sanctions

The European Union is currently debating the extension of sanctions against Russia for a period of 12 months, contingent upon the removal of Russian businessman Alisher Usmanov from the sanctions list, according to Vladyslav Vlasyuk, the President's Commissioner for Sanctions Policy. This potential extension is contingent on the successful removal of Usmanov from the sanctions list. However, the situation has fluctuated multiple times today alone.

According to Politico, citing EU diplomatic sources, EU countries have been unable to reach a consensus on extending one of the anti-Russian sanctions programs. The deadline for these sanctions was set to expire on Tuesday, but Slovakia insisted that Usmanov and Dmitry Fridman be removed from the sanctions list. France proposed a compromise, suggesting that only Usmanov be excluded. Most other countries were unwilling to remove anyone from the sanctions list.

Another aspect of the discussions revolved around the duration of the sanctions extension, with Slovakia hesitant to support a 12-month extension, a departure from the six-month customary renewal since 2014. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has urged international partners to maintain sanctions against Russia, proposing stronger restrictions, particularly targeting Russian ballistic missile production and the financial sector.

He also called for the enactment of the sanctions bill by late U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham against Russia. Zelenskyy noted that Usmanov, Fridman, and other Russian business representatives have yet to take action against the ongoing war.