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'Not the time to shield Russian oligarchs,' Zelensky says as EU delays sanctions decision amid pressure from France
The Kyiv Independent • • world
Key Points:
- The European Union has postponed its deadline to extend sanctions on Russia by seven days, moving the deadline from Sept. 15 to Sept. 22 to allow more time for member states to review proposals amid disputes.
- The extension talks are stalled due to demands from some EU members, notably Slovakia and France, to remove Russian oligarchs Alisher Usmanov and Mikhail Fridman from the sanctions list.
- France is reportedly pushing to delist Usmanov as part of a deal with Azerbaijan for the release of detained French citizens, while Luxembourg has indicated it may want Fridman removed if Usmanov is delisted.
- Ukrainian officials, including Presidential Sanctions Commissioner Vladyslav Vasliuk and President Volodymyr Zelensky, strongly oppose easing sanctions on these oligarchs, citing moral and legal reasons linked to the ongoing conflict.
- The EU sanctions require unanimous approval from all 27 member states, giving any single country veto power, complicating efforts to renew the sanctions against over 2,600 Russian entities and individuals.
