France stalls EU sanctions renewal over Alisher Usmanov delisting

The current sanctions regime, covering approximately 3,000 individuals and entities, demands unanimous renewal every six months. With the mandate set to expire at midnight on September 15, EU ambassadors in Brussels reached a fragile compromise to keep the list intact for seven days. This unprecedented temporary measure pushes the final decision to a follow-up meeting scheduled for September 22.

While France cites national security as the justification for its position, the move has ignited speculation regarding a potential quid pro quo. French diplomatic sources hinted at responding to requests from international partners concerning Usmanov, who has faced visa bans and asset freezes from the EU, UK, and US since 2022 due to his proximity to Vladimir Putin. Observers point to lobbying efforts by Azerbaijan, Turkey, and Uzbekistan, where leaders have previously framed the tycoon as a philanthropist. Complicating the diplomatic calculus is the case of Martin Ryan, a French businessman currently imprisoned in Azerbaijan on espionage charges, raising concerns among officials that a hostage exchange may be influencing the push to lift sanctions.