Full Breakdown
France and Slovakia Push to Delist Russian Oligarch Alisher Usmanov, Threatening European Union's (EU) Sanctions Renewal
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Core Dispute Over Usmanov’s Sanctions Status
France has joined Slovakia in demanding that the European Union remove Russian-Ukrainian billionaire Alisher Usmanov from its personal-sanctions list. Usmanov, placed on the list after Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, is described by EU diplomats as “close to the Kremlin.” Slovakia has simultaneously insisted on the delisting of Mikhail Fridman. The move comes as the EU sanctions regime is set to expire on September 15 2026, and unanimity among the 27 member states is required for renewal.
Background & Context
The EU imposed individual sanctions on more than 3,000 people and entities linked to Russia’s military-industrial complex shortly after the 2022 invasion. Listings are renewed every six months; a shift to a 12-month cycle is under discussion after sectoral sanctions moved to a yearly schedule in July. Slovakia has repeatedly used its veto power to press for the removal of Usmanov and Fridman, most recently during the March 14 renewal.
Timeline
- March 14 (occurred) – Individual sanctions last renewed for six months.
- July 9 (occurred) – EU softens a proposed visa ban on Russian combatants, limiting it to short-stay visas.
- September 14 (scheduled) – EU ambassadors slated to meet again to resolve the dispute.
- September 15 (deadline) – Sanctions regime expires; member states must agree on renewal.
Data & Statistics
- The EU sanctions regime targets more than 3,000 individuals and legal entities tied to Russia’s war effort.
- At the March renewal, around 2,600 persons and entities were listed; subsequent measures have expanded the roster.
Official Statements & Responses
A French official emphasized that Paris supports the overall renewal of sanctions while presenting Usmanov’s removal as a “political compromise” intended to secure Slovak cooperation. Slovak diplomats have reiterated that delisting both Usmanov and Fridman is a precondition for any extension, and they continue to advocate for retaining the six-month renewal window. EU diplomats, speaking anonymously, noted that France’s stance has generated “huge frustration” among other members, questioning the economic motivations behind the proposal.
Criticism & Opposition
He described discussions about loosening sanctions as “immoral and self-destructive” and urged European partners to maintain pressure on Moscow.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Sources differ on why France has shifted its position. Several EU diplomats suggest the move is driven primarily by economic interests, while the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs frames the request as a matter of national-security obligations to international partners. No public clarification reconciles these competing explanations.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Slovakia still wants Usmanov and Fridman delisted, but the issue is now further complicated as France also wants Usmanov off the blacklist,” — Rikard Jozwiak, Radio Liberty’s editor
What’s Next
EU ambassadors must reach a unanimous decision by September 15 to prevent a lapse in the sanctions regime. If a compromise is achieved, the bloc may adopt a written procedure to extend the measures quickly. Parallel discussions on extending the renewal period to twelve months could further reshape the sanctions architecture.