Edward Marchesi The EU ambassadors' decision to postpone the vote on renewing sanctions against Russia has exposed diplomatic rifts that go beyond simple political disagreement. In the absence of an agreement, the extension granted is a week , moving the deadline to September 22. At stake is the fate of nearly 3,000 individuals and entities placed on the list of restrictive measures adopted after the large-scale invasion of Ukraine.
France and Slovakia's request regarding Alisher Usmanov's position
Two capitals played a central role in stalling negotiations: Slovakia, which has long opposed the renewal without amendments, and France , which made a surprise request. Both called for Alisher Usmanov 's name to be removed from the list of sanctioned individuals, a move that complicated the possibility of reaching consensus among member states.
Usmanov was placed on the list in the immediate aftermath of the invasion because he was believed to have close ties to President Vladimir Putin and interests in key sectors of the Russian economy; he himself denies the accusations and calls for his removal.
The French proposal, which some officials said was also motivated by national security concerns and considerations related to French citizens detained abroad, was seen as an attempt at political bargaining that surprised many diplomats involved in the negotiations.
One official commented that “ France isn't for budging, but it would send the absolute wrong message at the wrong time. ”
Internal and external reactions to the proposal
Other governments expressed skepticism: the majority of member states believe it inappropriate to remove names from the list while the war in Ukraine continues and concerns persist about possible hybrid attacks on European soil. The French position was perceived by some delegations as a gesture tantamount to an informal veto, compared to blocking tactics already observed in other capitals.
The practical consequences of the impasse and the voice of Kiev
The extension until September 22 leaves little room for maneuver: if an agreement is not reached by that date, the measures will expire, and those currently subject to sanctions will be automatically removed from the list. This scenario has increased the urgency of the talks, as it would represent a significant shift in Europe's approach to restrictive measures related to the invasion of Ukraine.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy reacted harshly to the situation, criticizing the idea of easing measures and warning against any gesture that could be interpreted as a "gift" to Moscow. In his words: " 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. " Zelenskyy cited Usmanov and other businessmen as individuals who have not yet taken a clear stance against the war and who therefore should not see sanctions eased.
Implications for European policy
The impasse reflects the tension between national interests and collective objectives: on the one hand, the need to maintain a coherent line of pressure on Moscow, on the other, the management of bilateral and security issues that some states consider urgent. The result is a negotiating dynamic that requires difficult compromises in a context already marked by divisions over other geopolitical issues.
Meanwhile, the affair has drawn attention to how European sanctions are being used not only as a foreign policy tool but also as a bargaining tool in broader contexts. The outcome of the additional week of negotiations remains uncertain: as one diplomat observed, " I'm not sure what will change in a week. " If the bloc fails to find common ground, the consequences for the credibility and effectiveness of sanctions policy could be long-lasting.