EU Postpones Decision on Russia Sanctions

EU ambassadors again failed on Friday to agree on extending sanctions against Russia over violations of Ukraine’s territorial integrity, with further talks scheduled for Monday, 21 September.

The current measures, covering almost 3,000 individuals and entities linked to Russia’s war against Ukraine, are due to expire at midnight on Tuesday, 22 September. Those sanctioned include Russian President Vladimir Putin and Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov.

The latest impasse comes as France and Slovakia continue to demand the removal of two Russian oligarchs from the sanctions list.

The EU extended the sanctions for just seven days on 14 September because of the same dispute. According to European Pravda, sources in French diplomatic circles said Paris wants to secure the removal of oligarch Alisher Usmanov in exchange for the release of several French citizens imprisoned in Azerbaijan.

Slovakia had already sought to have Usmanov and billionaire Mikhail Fridman removed from the sanctions list when the measures were previously renewed in March.

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