Slovakia blocks extension of EU sanctions against thousands of Russians

European Union countries failed to reach agreement on extending individual sanctions against more than 3,000 Russian individuals and legal entities. The decision was blocked by Slovakia, which opposed extending restrictions for a full year and proposed removing several Russians from the sanctions list.

The discussion took place on September 2 at a meeting of the Committee of Permanent Representatives of EU countries (Coreper) in Brussels. According to sources of “European Truth”, the ambassadors decided to return to the issue on September 9. The current restrictions expire on September 15.

Slovakia did not agree to one-year sanctions

The main reason for the lack of a decision was Bratislava's position. Ireland, which currently presides over the EU Council, proposed extending individual sanctions against Russia for 12 months.

Slovakia did not support this option and insists on maintaining the previous scheme — extending restrictions for six months. Individual sanctions have been extended for this period so far.

In addition, according to the publication’s sources, the Slovak side proposed removing several Russians from the sanctions list. Their names have not been disclosed yet.

What individual sanctions provide

This concerns restrictions introduced by the EU for actions that undermine or threaten the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine.

For individuals, the sanctions include a ban on entering EU countries and transit through their territory. Assets of sanctioned individuals and legal entities in the EU are frozen, and European citizens and companies are prohibited from providing them with money or other economic resources.

In March, the EU Council extended this sanctions regime for six months — until September 15, 2026. At that time, the official list under this regime included about 2,600 individuals and legal entities. In the following months, the European Union continued to impose new personal restrictions against Russians and companies.

Why the EU wants to switch to annual extension

In 2026, the European Union began changing its approach to the periodic extension of anti-Russian restrictions. Previously, the need for a unanimous decision every six months regularly allowed individual states to use the sanctions issue to negotiate other concessions.

On June 18, EU leaders agreed for the first time to extend the main economic sanctions against Russia for a year. Later, the EU Council extended the corresponding economic restrictions until July 31, 2027.

Now the one-year term is proposed to be used for individual sanctions as well, but such a decision also requires the consent of all member states.

Thus, the current dispute is not about abolishing the sanctions regime as a whole, but about the duration of the next period of its application and the composition of the sanctions list.

Less than two weeks left to decide

EU ambassadors are to discuss the issue again on September 9 — just six days before the current individual sanctions expire.

If a compromise is found, the restrictions will continue to apply without interruption. However, extension requires a unanimous decision of all 27 EU countries.

The dispute is taking place simultaneously with the EU's preparations to further increase pressure on Russia. During 2026, the European Union expanded restrictions against the Russian military-industrial complex, the energy sector, the shadow fleet, and individuals involved in hybrid operations against European states.

Based on materials from: European Truth, Council of the European Union