EU deadlocked on changes to Russia sanctions ahead of key Ukraine, Greenland talks - Europe live
The European Union is currently deadlocked over a proposal to remove two Russian billionaires from its sanctions list in exchange for a long-term extension of broader sanctions. Latvia is blocking the deal, arguing that the de-listings are an unacceptable price for the extension.
Why it matters
The internal EU disagreement threatens the continuity of sanctions against Russia, impacting the geopolitical response to the war in Ukraine.
The EU is deadlocked over a plan to remove two Russian billionaires, Alisher Usmanov and Mikhail Fridman, from its sanctions list as part of a bitterly disputed deal to keep broader restrictions in place on nearly 3,000 people and companies accused of enabling Vladimir Putin’s war on Ukraine .
Russian president Vladimir Putin shakes hands with Russian businessman and founder of USM Holdings Alisher Usmanov during an awarding ceremony at the Kremlin in Moscow, Russia in 2018. Ambassadors from the EU’s 27 member states failed to reach agreement at a meeting early on Tuesday – their third session in around 24 hours on the topic. The senior diplomats will reconvene later today just hours ahead of a legal deadline.
Without an agreement sanctions on nearly 3,000 people and entities accused of supporting the war on Ukraine will lapse at the end of Tuesday 22 September.
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in