France is pressing for Russian-Uzbek businessman Alisher Usmanov to be removed from the EU sanctions list in an effort to secure the release of an unspecified number of French nationals detained in Azerbaijan, according to several officials and diplomats familiar with the negotiations.
The French position has complicated efforts in Brussels to renew EU sanctions on Russia, which cover almost 3,000 individuals and entities accused of supporting Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. The measures are due to expire this month.
The deadlock was initially driven by Slovakia, which has long called for Usmanov to be removed from the sanctions list, for separate reasons.
France joined Bratislava in calling for his delisting on Friday to the surprise of diplomats, Euronews reported.
EU ambassadors agreed on Monday to extend the sanctions for one week, until 22 September, giving member states more time to reach an agreement. If no agreement is reached, all Russian nationals will be delisted, adding to the sense of urgency.
“France isn’t for budging, but it would send the absolute wrong message at the wrong time,” one official said, speaking on condition of anonymity.
“I’m not sure what will change in a week.”
Most member states remain opposed to removing names from the sanctions list while Russia continues its war in Ukraine and amid concerns over hybrid attacks in Europe.
However, some officials acknowledge that France has cited national security concerns, a principle applied to critical issues. The French government declined to comment.
“Everything has an explanation,” one diplomat said.
Still, the last-minute move has frustrated diplomats who oppose removing any Russian nationals from the sanctions list.
One diplomat familiar with the talks said Paris’ quid-pro-quo approach effectively amounted to a veto of a common EU position, reminiscent of tactics employed by Hungary under Viktor Orbán.
France, meanwhile, insists it remains one of the bloc’s strongest supporters of sanctions against Russia.
The Financial Times first reported about the prisoner swap in Azerbaijan.
Usmanov was added to the EU sanctions list in the early days of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. The EU Council cited his “close ties” with Russian President Vladimir Putin and his interests in “key sectors” of the Russian economy.
Usmanov denies the allegations and has vigorously pushed to be removed from the list.
Slovakia has also long called for Usmanov and fellow Russian businessman Mikhail Fridman to be removed from the sanctions list. Other EU member states have so far rejected the request, which they regard as politically motivated.
Earlier this year, a media investigation published a two-page letter sent by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan to Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico, asking for assistance in ending what Erdoğan described as the “unfair practice” involving Usmanov.
“Your support in removing him from the EU sanctions list and restoring his violated rights would be extremely valuable,” Erdoğan wrote in the letter, dated 2 March 2026.
The document said Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan also supported Usmanov’s removal.
Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy criticised the state of negotiations in his evening address on Monday, name checking Usmanov and Fridman.
“This is definitely not the time to lift sanctions, to rescue Russian oligarchs from them, and definitely not the time for Europe to give Russia gifts,” Zelenskyy said.
“Usmanov, Fridman, and other Russian figures like them have not made their moves against the war so far. This is not the time for Europe to forget what is happening.”
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