Renewed dispute in the EU over Russia sanctions

EU member states are unable to agree on extending sanctions against Russia, with Slovakia demanding the removal of Russian oligarch Alisher Usmanov from the list.

German prosecutors have investigated Usmanov for possible sanctions violations, dropping the proceedings after he paid a fine of €10 million.

The EU sanctions aim to pressure Russia into constructive peace negotiations in Ukraine, with hopes that extending existing sanctions would become easier following a change of government in Hungary.

EU member states are unable to agree on extending the bloc's sanctions on Russia, a spokesman for the current Irish Council presidency said on Monday, signalling renewed dispute over the issue.

The members were unable to agree to extend punitive measures against around 3,000 individuals, entities and companies by a year, he said. The measures are set to expire on Tuesday.

Only a seven-day extension until midnight on September 22 could be agreed, with further talks on contentious issues to be held before then.

According to information obtained by dpa, the dispute stems from Slovakia's demand to lift EU sanctions against Russian oligarch Alisher Usmanov. Slovakia is said to be threatening to block the extension of all punitive measures unless Usmanov is removed from the list.

According to diplomats, Slovakia has most recently also been supported in this by France.

Slovakian Prime Minister Robert Fico was earlier reported to have forwarded a letter from Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan in which he reportedly advocated for Usmanov, citing his contributions to opening the Turkic states toward the West.

Other EU states were unwilling to support the Slovakian demand on the grounds that lifting sanctions on Usmanov could give other Russians grounds for lawsuits.

Until now, the sanctions decision against Usmanov has stated that he is a pro-Kremlin oligarch who maintains particularly close ties to Russian President Vladimir Putin.

German prosecutors have investigated Usmanov on suspicion of violations of the Foreign Trade and Payments Act and possible sanctions violations. The proceedings were dropped on payment of a fine of €10 million ($11.6 million).

There have been regular disputes within the EU over the sanctions, but the change of government in Hungary gave rise to hopes that extending existing sanctions would become easier.

They aim to pressure Russia into constructive peace negotiations in Ukraine.