Story perspectives

France Offers Usmanov Delisting to Win Sanctions Unanimity

By Drooid · Sep 14, 2026, 3:53 PM UTC · How we work

Summary

Story summary

France proposes delisting Alisher Usmanov as a political compromise to persuade Slovakia to drop its objections.
Slovakia also demands Mikhail Fridman be removed from the EU sanctions list, continuing its March request.
EU ambassadors failed to reach unanimity on extending the sanctions regime at their September 11 meeting.
The sanctions regime covering over 3,000 individuals and entities expires on September 15, with a new meeting set for September 14.

History

Historical Context

In March 2014 the EU imposed its first coordinated sanctions on Russia after the Crimea annexation, freezing €1.5 billion belonging to 130 senior officials such as Oleg Deripaska and Dmitry Medvedev. The measures created a 3,000-person regime that now faces a September 15 expiry, prompting France and Slovakia to negotiate delisting of Alisher Usmanov and Mikhail Fridman.

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Story summary

France proposes delisting Alisher Usmanov as a political compromise to persuade Slovakia to drop its objections.
Slovakia also demands Mikhail Fridman be removed from the EU sanctions list, continuing its March request.
EU ambassadors failed to reach unanimity on extending the sanctions regime at their September 11 meeting.
The sanctions regime covering over 3,000 individuals and entities expires on September 15, with a new meeting set for September 14.

1 / 2