'Not the time to shield Russian oligarchs,' Zelensky says as EU delays sanctions decision amid pressure from France
EU envoys extended existing Russia sanctions by seven days after failing to agree on a six-month renewal. France and Slovakia are lobbying to remove Russian oligarch Alisher Usmanov from the sanctions list. France has tied the renewal of broader sanctions to this delisting, seeking to use the move to secure the release of French nationals held in Azerbaijan. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky criticized the delay, stating it is "not the time to shield Russian oligarchs."
Listen to Live Briefing
Real-time synthesized voice briefing · Live Feeds Desk
- ✓ EU envoys extended Russia sanctions by seven days to debate a six-month renewal.
- ✓ France and Slovakia have asked to delist Russian oligarch Usmanov.
- ✓ France is seeking Usmanov's delisting to secure the release of French nationals in Azerbaijan.
- ✓ President Zelensky stated it is "not the time to shield Russian oligarchs."
What changed
EU envoys granted a seven-day extension to debate the six-month renewal after France stalled the process over Usmanov's status.
Live updates
-
EU delays Russia sanctions renewal as France pushes to delist oligarch Usmanov
EU envoys extended existing Russia sanctions by seven days after failing to agree on a six-month renewal. France and Slovakia are lobbying to remove Russian oligarch Alisher Usmanov from the sanctions list. France has tied the renewal of broader sanctions to this delisting, seeking to use the move to secure the release of French nationals held in Azerbaijan. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky criticized the delay, stating it is "not the time to shield Russian oligarchs."
Why it matters
The European Union periodically reviews and renews its sanctions regime against Russia to maintain economic pressure. Disagreements over specific individuals on the list can stall the entire rollover process. This dispute highlights a tension between collective security measures and individual diplomatic priorities.
What is confirmed
- EU envoys extended Russia sanctions by seven days to debate a six-month renewal.
- France and Slovakia have asked to delist Russian oligarch Usmanov.
- France is seeking Usmanov's delisting to secure the release of French nationals in Azerbaijan.
- President Zelensky stated it is "not the time to shield Russian oligarchs."
What to watch next
- The outcome of the EU debate on the six-month sanctions renewal.
- Whether the EU agrees to delist Alisher Usmanov.
- Confirmation of the release of French nationals from Azerbaijan.
confidence 100%Sources used for this update (11)
- politico.eu — EU fails to agree Russia sanctions rollover with one day to spare
- Euronews.com — France joins Slovakia in asking to delist Russian oligarch Usmanov
- Financial Times — France in ‘astonishing’ push to lift EU sanctions on Russian oligarch
- Reuters — EU envoys extend Russia sanctions by seven days to debate six-month renewal, EU presidency says
- Euronews.com — France seeks Usmanov delisting to free French nationals in Azerbaijan
- kyivindependent.com — 'Not the time to shield Russian oligarchs,' Zelensky says as EU delays sanctions decision amid pressure from France
- Bloomberg.com — France Lobbies EU to Lift Sanctions on Russian Tycoon Usmanov
- Euronews.com — France ties EU sanctions renewal to prisoner release
- politico.eu — EU demands answers as France pushes for billionaire's Russia sanctions release
- France 24 — France stalls EU Russia sanctions renewal over oligarch de-listing
- www.yahoo.com — Russia's military recruitment drive in Africa — Time to reassess relationship
Community Sentiment: How do you assess this situation?
Voice your perspective · Real-time aggregated sentiment from the Live Feeds community