France and Slovakia Push to Delist Russian Oligarch Alisher Usmanov, Stalling EU Sanctions Renewal

France and Slovakia have jointly demanded that the European Union remove Russian-Uzbek businessman Alisher Usmanov from the bloc’s sanctions blacklist. The demand, presented in mid-September, ties the delisting to the release of an unspecified number of French nationals detained in Azerbaijan. EU ambassadors responded by extending the existing sanctions for one week, until 22 September, to allow further negotiations. If no consensus is reached by the deadline, all Russian individuals on the list would be automatically delisted, a prospect that has heightened urgency among member states.

EuronewsEU ObserverFrance wants billionaire Alisher Usmanov off the EU sanctions list

The EU sanctions regime targets roughly 3,000 individuals and entities accused of supporting Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Usmanov was added to the list in the early days of the war, cited for “particularly close ties” to President Vladimir Putin and for involvement in key sectors of the Russian economy. Slovakia has long called for the removal of both Usmanov and fellow businessman Mikhail Fridman, conditioning its support for any sanctions renewal on their delisting. France’s latest push frames the request as a “national security” issue and a quid-pro-quo linked to negotiations with Azerbaijan and other partners.

EuronewsFrance wants billionaire Alisher Usmanov off the EU sanctions list EU Observer

• 14 March 2026 – Individual sanctions were last renewed.

France wants billionaire Alisher Usmanov off the EU sanctions list

• 2 March 2026 – Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan wrote to Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico requesting support for Usmanov’s removal.

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• Mid-September 2026 – France publicly pressed for Usmanov’s delisting, citing the detained French nationals.

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• 15 September 2026 (deadline) – The sanctions list was set to expire at midnight.

France wants billionaire Alisher Usmanov off the EU sanctions list

• 22 September 2026 (scheduled) – EU ambassadors extended the sanctions for one week pending further talks.

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• ? 3,000 individuals and entities are currently on the EU Russia blacklist.

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• The sanctions renewal requires unanimity from all 27 EU member states.

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• The extension granted on 22 September adds a seven-day window before the list would automatically lapse.

France wants billionaire Alisher Usmanov off the EU sanctions list

• The French government declined to comment on the request.

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• A French diplomatic source said the move reflects a “specific national security issue” and a desire to respond positively to “international partners” seeking Usmanov’s removal.

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• Most EU members remain opposed to delisting any Russian nationals while the war continues and amid concerns over hybrid attacks in Europe.

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• Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy publicly condemned the negotiations, arguing that “this is definitely not the time to lift sanctions, to rescue Russian oligarchs from them, and definitely not the time for Europe to give Russia gifts.”

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• The exact number of French nationals whose release is tied to the delisting has not been disclosed.

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• Sources differ on the primary motivation: French officials cite “national security,” while diplomats and analysts describe the move as a political compromise or “quid-pro-quo” linked to Azerbaijan and other partners.

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• “This is definitely not the time to lift sanctions, to rescue Russian oligarchs from them, and definitely not the time for Europe to give Russia gifts,” — Volodymyr Zelenskyy, ukraine's president

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• “This prosecutor general has only one path ahead: dismissal from office,” — Volodymyr Zelenskyy, ukraine's president

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