403
Sorry!!
Error! We're sorry, but the page you were looking for doesn't exist.
EU Deadlocked Over Russian Billionaire, Extends Sanctions List One Week
(MENAFN) European Union member states pushed back a decision on Russia sanctions by one week Monday after failing to agree on whether to remove Russian billionaire Alisher Usmanov from the bloc's blacklist, EUobserver reported.
Meeting in Brussels, EU ambassadors agreed to extend the bloc's sanctions list — which currently includes Usmanov — for just seven days, with a follow-up meeting scheduled for Sept. 22. The short-term extension reportedly represents an unprecedented move since Russia's invasion of Ukraine began in 2022.
The EU's broader Russia blacklist, which covers roughly 3,000 individuals and entities, must be renewed every six months with unanimous approval from all 27 member states. That list had been set to lapse at midnight Tuesday.
Slovakia and, subsequently, France voiced support for removing Usmanov from the list, but the remaining 25 EU nations declined to back the proposal.
"It means we agree to disagree, for one week," an EU diplomat said.
A French diplomatic source pointed to national security concerns as the basis for France's position. "We [France] have a specific national security issue and wish to respond positively to our international partners, who are approaching us regarding Mr. Usmanov," the source told EUobserver on Monday.
The EU first imposed a visa ban and asset freeze on Usmanov, an Uzbek-born metals magnate, in 2022, citing his "particularly close ties" to Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Meeting in Brussels, EU ambassadors agreed to extend the bloc's sanctions list — which currently includes Usmanov — for just seven days, with a follow-up meeting scheduled for Sept. 22. The short-term extension reportedly represents an unprecedented move since Russia's invasion of Ukraine began in 2022.
The EU's broader Russia blacklist, which covers roughly 3,000 individuals and entities, must be renewed every six months with unanimous approval from all 27 member states. That list had been set to lapse at midnight Tuesday.
Slovakia and, subsequently, France voiced support for removing Usmanov from the list, but the remaining 25 EU nations declined to back the proposal.
"It means we agree to disagree, for one week," an EU diplomat said.
A French diplomatic source pointed to national security concerns as the basis for France's position. "We [France] have a specific national security issue and wish to respond positively to our international partners, who are approaching us regarding Mr. Usmanov," the source told EUobserver on Monday.
The EU first imposed a visa ban and asset freeze on Usmanov, an Uzbek-born metals magnate, in 2022, citing his "particularly close ties" to Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Legal Disclaimer:
MENAFN provides the
information “as is” without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any
responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos,
licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information
contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues
related to this article, kindly contact the provider above.
Comments
No comment