EU ambassadors again fail to agree on extending individual sanctions against Russia

The EU envoys are reportedly expected to meet again later on Sept. 14 in another attempt to finalize a decision.

On Sept. 9, EU representatives also failed to agree on prolonging personal restrictions against more than 2,600 Russian individuals and legal entities accused of violating Ukraine’s territorial integrity. Those sanctions are due to expire on Sept. 15.

The EU had planned to extend the measures for one year instead of the current six-month period. Slovakia opposed that move, however, and demanded that two Russian businessmen — Alisher Usmanov and Mikhail Fridman — be removed from the sanctions list.

France also does not support extending sanctions against Usmanov. The reasons for Paris’ position have not been made public.

A French diplomat told Suspilne that Paris supports extending sanctions overall, while stressing that negotiations on the issue remain confidential.

EU countries must agree on renewing the sanctions by Sept. 15. Otherwise, part of the personal restrictions on Russian citizens could lapse.