European Union diplomats are locked in intensive negotiations to extend the bloc’s sanctions regime against nearly 3,000 individuals and entities backing Russia’s war in Ukraine, after a push by France and Luxembourg to remove two prominent Russian oligarchs triggered an impasse. According to diplomatic sources, the provisional agreement struck on Monday, September 21, stalled when Latvia opposed the exemptions ahead of a critical Wednesday midnight deadline.
Without a unanimous vote by the 27 member states before the deadline expires, the entire restrictive measures framework will lapse. To prevent future crises, representatives have discussed extending the renewal period from six months to 36 months, though final approval hinges on resolving the current standoff.
The Standoff Over Alicher Ousmanov and Mikhaïl Fridman
The diplomatic friction centers on French and Luxembourgish demands to strip specific oligarchs from the EU sanctions blacklist. According to diplomats cited by Agence France-Presse, France requested the removal of Russian-Uzbek billionaire Alicher Ousmanov, citing unspecified national security reasons. The Financial Times reported that Paris is pressing for the exclusion as part of a prisoner release negotiation involving French citizens detained in Azerbaijan.
Following France’s lead, Luxembourg demanded the removal of businessman Mikhaïl Fridman.
Kiev strongly condemned the proposed exemptions. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriï Sybiga stated that removing the two oligarchs is unacceptable and sends a detrimental signal to Moscow while pressure should be intensifying. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky also cautioned against saving wealthy businessmen from restrictions.
EU Leadership and Baltic Opposition
EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas urged member states during the United Nations General Assembly in New York to keep sanctions as the core instrument for pressuring Moscow. While acknowledging that discussions are ongoing regarding specific removal requests, Kallas emphasized the need for stability and longer sanctions durations.
Opposition from the Baltic states has blocked immediate consensus. Latvian Prime Minister Andris Kulbergs posted on X that his country cannot accept the proposed exemptions. Because EU sanctions require unanimous backing from all 27 member governments, a single veto halts the policy.
Meanwhile, the Kremlin seized on the divisions to demand the complete lifting of economic restrictions against all Russian businessmen. As discussions resume, the outcome will determine whether the EU preserves its united front or grants high-profile concessions.
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