France and Slovakia get their way: EU agrees to delist two Russian oligarchs from sanctions — extension moves to 36 months

France and Slovakia succeeded in removing two Russian oligarchs — Alisher Usmanov and Mikhail Fridman — from European Union sanctions, after weeks of delaying the renewal of around 3,000 of the bloc’s sanctions against Russia, the Kyiv Independent reports.

As part of the deal, EU ambassadors agreed in advance that the next sanctions renewal would last 36 months instead of the planned 12 — an unprecedented move aimed at preventing similar delays in the future, three national diplomats told the Ukrainian outlet.

Kyiv’s reaction was sharp. Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha wrote that “nothing has changed — delisting is unacceptable,” while sanctions envoy Vladyslav Vlasiuk expressed disappointment with the deal. Ambassador Taras Kachka warned that “compromise only invites Moscow to raise its demands.”

According to sources, France joined Slovakia’s request after Azerbaijan held two French nationals as political prisoners. EU ambassadors are expected to meet in the evening for the third time that day, while the ministerial vote must take place before the 22 September deadline.

Fridman is a co-founder of Alfa-Group, whose subsidiary provided vehicles used by Russian forces in Ukraine. Usmanov, meanwhile, was described in the EU’s 2022 decision as “one of Putin’s favorite oligarchs.”

Source: The Kyiv Independent