Ambassadors from the European Union’s 27 member states again failed to reach a deal on Tuesday, 22 September 2026, to renew sanctions on nearly 3,000 people and entities tied to Russia’s war in Ukraine, which are due to expire at midnight on Tuesday.

Latvia rejected the compromise that would remove billionaires Alisher Usmanov and Mikhail Fridman from the list in exchange for a 36-month renewal of the remaining listings, according to Reuters and The Guardian. France backs Usmanov’s removal, diplomats say, to unlock the release of French nationals held in Azerbaijan. Without unanimity by midnight, roughly 3,000 listings — asset freezes and travel bans — fall at once.