EU Sanctions on Russia Extended Only 7 Days as France and Slovakia Block Full Renewal

The European Union postponed its decision to renew sanctions against Russia on September 15, extending the deadline by only seven days to midnight on September 22. The 27 member states could not agree on a full six-month renewal of sanctions targeting roughly 3,000 Russian individuals, companies, and institutions. France and Slovakia blocked the extension, demanding that oligarch Alisher Usmanov be removed from the sanctions list. The dispute threatens the EU’s unified stance on Russia after years of coordinated economic pressure.

Why France and Slovakia are blocking the sanctions

France is pushing to delist Usmanov as part of a deal to secure the release of French nationals detained in Azerbaijan, according to the Financial Times. Slovakia has long sought Usmanov’s removal and is also demanding that billionaire Mikhail Fridman be delisted. The Irish EU presidency confirmed that only a seven-day extension was possible because the member states could not reach unanimity on the full renewal.

The risk of a domino effect

Other EU states fear that removing Usmanov from the sanctions list could give other sanctioned Russians grounds to file lawsuits challenging their own designations. Luxembourg has signaled that if Usmanov is delisted, it will demand Fridman’s removal as well. Diplomats worry the precedent could unravel the entire sanctions regime, which has been in place since Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine.

Ukraine’s president calls for resolve

President Volodymyr Zelensky criticized the delay, saying it is not the time to shield Russian oligarchs. Zelensky called on Europe to extend sanctions without exceptions. The EU has relied on unanimity to renew sanctions every six months, a rule that gives each member state veto power and has repeatedly caused delays.

What happens next

EU member states have until midnight on September 22 to reach agreement on the full six-month renewal. Further negotiations are scheduled during this period. If no deal is reached, the sanctions could lapse entirely, dealing a significant blow to Western efforts to pressure Russia over the Ukraine war.

Final Thoughts

The seven-day extension exposes deep cracks in EU unity on Russia policy. With France and Slovakia holding firm and other states fearing legal challenges, the bloc faces a critical test of its ability to maintain coordinated sanctions. The September 22 deadline will determine whether the EU can preserve its economic pressure on Moscow.

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