European Union ambassadors failed to reach a deal on Monday to renew sanctions against Russia, which expire at midnight on Tuesday (22), according to AFP and Euractiv.

France has joined Slovakia in demanding the removal of billionaire Alisher Usmanov from the list, citing “national security,” while Luxembourg makes the removal of Mikhail Fridman a condition; a diplomat told AFP that the compromise on the table removes both names and extends the rest for up to 36 months. Renewal requires unanimity among the 27, and on 14 September the bloc had already extended the listings by only seven days — a move EUobserver calls unprecedented since 2022. The list covers around 3,000 people and entities. The Financial Times reported that the French request is tied to a possible deal to release French nationals held in Azerbaijan; no government has confirmed the link.