Sanctions — 2026-09-15

EU Delays Russia Sanctions Decision as Zelensky Criticizes France for Shielding Oligarchs

BLUFFrance's linkage of Usmanov's delisting to a prisoner swap in Azerbaijan will likely fail to overcome opposition from 25 member states by the September 22 meeting, but the unprecedented interim extension signals cracks in EU sanctions cohesion.

EU ambassadors agreed in Brussels on September 14 to extend the bloc's Russia sanctions list, covering roughly 2,600–3,000 individuals and entities, for one week rather than the standard six months, after failing to reach unanimous agreement before the September 15 deadline 12. The extension came after France joined Slovakia in pushing to delist Russian-Uzbek metals tycoon Alisher Usmanov, with a French diplomatic source citing a "specific national security issue" 1. Officials cited by the Financial Times and Euronews said France's push is tied to securing the release of French nationals detained in Azerbaijan, including businessman Martin Ryan, sentenced in Baku to 10 years on espionage charges 23. Slovakia separately continues to seek removal of both Usmanov and businessman Mikhail Fridman, a request the other 25 member states have rejected 3. President Zelensky said in his September 14 evening address that "this is definitely not the time... to shield Russian oligarchs from sanctions," naming Usmanov and Fridman 34. Ambassadors are due to revisit the issue on September 22 12.

Analysis
The one-week stopgap, rather than the routine six-month renewal, shows France's linkage of Usmanov's delisting to an Azerbaijan prisoner swap has real traction inside the bloc, not merely Slovak obstruction. Ambassadors will likely renew the full list intact with Usmanov still designated by the September 22 meeting, as sustained objection from the other 25 member states outweighs Paris's leverage. This judgment carries low confidence, reflecting the unprecedented nature of the interim extension and the absence of any visible movement on the underlying Ryan prisoner-swap negotiation. A further short extension, or a narrow carve-out for Usmanov, stays a live alternative if Baku conditions Ryan's release on delisting.

6 sources