diplomacyMonday, September 14, 20262 sources

France Seeks to Lift EU Sanctions on Russian Oligarch Alisher Usmanov, Replicating Viktor Orbán’s Tactics in Azerbaijan

France is pushing to lift EU sanctions on Russian oligarch Alisher Usmanov, using strategies similar to those employed by Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán in Azerbaijan to secure the release of French nationals. The EU has extended sanctions against Russia for Ukraine until September 22, but internal divisions and requests for delisting are delaying the final agreement. This move highlights growing diplomatic tensions within the EU over sanctions policy.

France is seeking to lift EU sanctions on Russian oligarch Alisher Usmanov, replicating tactics used by Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán in Azerbaijan to secure the release of French nationals. The French government is leveraging diplomatic pressure to remove Usmanov from the sanctions list, which has been a point of contention within the EU. The EU has extended the validity of individual sanctions against Russia for Ukraine until September 22, but internal divisions and requests for delisting by figures like Usmanov have delayed the agreement.

Sources

WireAdnkronosSep 14, 08:28 PM
EU Sanctions for Ukraine: Struggle over Russian Oligarchs

(Adnkronos) - The Union extends until September 22 the validity of individual sanctions against Russia for Ukraine. Internal divisions and requests for delisting by magnates such as Alisher Usmanov delay the agreement.

IndependentFinancial TimesSep 14, 08:19 PM
France in ‘astonishing’ push to lift EU sanctions on Russian oligarch

Paris replicates Viktor Orbán’s tactics in bid to free French nationals from Azerbaijan