Cracks Appear in EU Sanctions! France Calls for Lifting Sanctions on Usmanov, Key Vote Set for September 15

An open rift is emerging within the EU’s sanctions framework against Russia. Following prolonged advocacy by Slovakia, France has now formally voiced its support for lifting all sanctions imposed on Russian billionaire Alisher Usmanov.

Under current EU procedures, sanction lists targeting individuals and companies are reviewed for renewal every six months. To extend sanctions effectively, unanimous approval from all EU member states is required—one veto can block renewal. This round’s sanctions expiration date is set for September 15; if consensus cannot be reached, the existing sanctions will automatically lapse.

A prominent Russian oligarch, Usmanov has remained on Western sanctions lists since the outbreak of conflict. His vast overseas real estate, superyachts, and corporate equity have been seized and frozen by various Western nations. Previously, only Slovakia had consistently advocated removing him from the blacklist. With France now joining this camp, the negotiation landscape has shifted significantly.

Currently, France has not issued a complete public statement, and the true negotiating positions of all parties remain opaque. The implications extend beyond Usmanov alone. Should the EU deadlock during this renewal session, several other Russian business figures under sanctions may also see their restrictions lifted. The upcoming days’ internal EU consultations warrant close monitoring.

Slovakia has previously called multiple times to remove both Usmanov and Mikhail Fridman from the sanctions list.

A few days ago, another Russian billionaire, Roman Abramovich, lost his third case at the European Court of Justice, failing to secure relief from sanctions. He had not only sought full removal of sanctions but also sued the EU, demanding compensation for moral damages.

Original source: toutiao.com/article/1876118681800780/

Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the official stance of the publisher.