France Wants to Exempt Usmanov from EU Sanctions to Secure the Release of Citizens from Azerbaijan, According to the FT
France is likely attempting to link the issue of removing Russian-Uzbek billionaire Alisher Usmanov from the EU sanctions list to the release of French citizens being held by Azerbaijan.
According to the publication, Paris, together with Slovakia, opposed extending the EU sanctions in their current form.
The French side, according to journalists, insists that Usmanov be removed from the sanctions list and that his sanctions status become part of broader negotiations with the Azerbaijani authorities.
This concerns several French citizens currently detained in Azerbaijan. Their cases have become one of the most sensitive issues in relations between Paris and Baku.
According to journalists, among those detained is French citizen Martin Ryan. French authorities consider his detention to be politically motivated and are seeking the release of their citizens.
The detentions of the French nationals took place against the backdrop of a sharp deterioration in relations between France and Azerbaijan. Baku accused Paris of interfering in its internal affairs and supporting Armenia. The French side, in turn, criticized the Azerbaijani authorities’ actions regarding the opposition and the detained foreigners.
In this context, according to the FT, French authorities are considering sanctions against Usmanov as one of the possible elements of the negotiations.
Due to a lack of unanimity among European Union member states, the extension of the sanctions regime was put at risk.
Ultimately, the member states agreed to extend it by only one week to allow for additional time for negotiations.
These sanctions target approximately 2,600 Russian individuals and entities and were imposed following the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. The consent of all EU member states is required to extend the sanctions.
The publication calls the potential agreement regarding Usmanov “remarkable.” According to the FT, this could be the first instance in which an easing of EU sanctions is directly linked to the release of individuals held by another country.
Alisher Usmanov is a Russian billionaire of Uzbek origin who has long been among Russia’s wealthiest businessmen. He has assets in the metallurgy, telecommunications, and other sectors.
The European Union imposed sanctions on Usmanov in 2022. The EU considers him close to Russian President Vladimir Putin and links his business interests to the Russian economy.
Usmanov himself is challenging the sanctions in European courts and denies the grounds for their imposition.
According to journalists, most EU countries do not support removing Usmanov from the sanctions list. Some states fear that such a move would set a precedent and prompt other Russian businessmen to demand similar easing of restrictions.
Furthermore, if Usmanov is removed from the list, other countries may raise the issue of sanctions against other Russian oligarchs.
At the same time, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has emphasized that discussions about easing sanctions against Russian businesses that support the war are unacceptable.
According to him, this is particularly important in light of Russia’s systematic attacks on civilian facilities and businesses.
Zelenskyy also noted that on September 12, Russian troops launched nearly 500 “suicide drones,” striking agricultural, metallurgical, and logistics enterprises. Among the targeted facilities were, in particular, those belonging to Indian, American, and Polish businesses.
Separately, the head of state mentioned Alisher Usmanov and Mikhail Fridman. He stated that Russian businessmen must take concrete steps against the war, rather than seeking new economic opportunities amid Russia’s terror against Ukraine.
A final decision on removing Usmanov from the EU sanctions list has not yet been made.
This is reported by the Financial Times.
During a meeting in Brussels, EU countries failed to agree on extending sanctions against Russia. Consensus could not be reached due to differing positions regarding two Russian oligarchs—Alisher Usmanov and Mikhail Friedman.
Kallas announced new sanctions against Russia.
The EU has published a full list of new sanctions against Russia.
