00:01France is pressing for Russian Uzbek businessman Aleisher Usmanov to be removed from the EU
00:07sanctions list in an effort to secure the release of an unspecified number of French
00:11nationals detained in Azerbaijan. The French position has complicated efforts in Brussels
00:17to renew EU sanctions on Russia, which cover almost 3,000 individuals and entities accused
00:23of supporting Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. The measures are due to expire this
00:28month. The deadlock was initially driven by Slovakia, which has long called for Usmanov to be
00:35removed from the sanctions list for separate reasons. EU ambassadors agreed on Monday to
00:41extend the sanctions for one week until the 22nd of September, giving member states more time to
00:47reach an agreement. If no agreement is reached, all Russian nationals will be delisted, adding to the
00:54sense of urgency. Usmanov was added to the sanctions list for what the EU Council described as close
01:00ties with Russian President Vladimir Putin and his interests in key sectors of the Russian economy.
01:07France insists it remains one of the bloc's strongest supporters of sanctions against Russia,
01:13citing national security concerns as the reason for its position.
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