The EU again failed to extend sanctions against Russia ahead of the deadline

European Union countries on Monday, September 14, again failed to agree on the extension of personal sanctions against Russia. The current regime of restrictions expires already on September 15, so EU country ambassadors plan to hold another round of negotiations.

This is reported by Politico with reference to five EU diplomats.

The extension of sanctions requires unanimous support from all bloc countries. It concerns a regime that provides for the freezing of assets and a number of other restrictions regarding about 3 thousand individuals and companies.

One of the main obstacles remains the position of Slovakia. Bratislava demands to exclude Russian businessmen Alisher Usmanov and Mikhail Fridman from the sanctions list.

France, for its part, proposed as a compromise to lift sanctions only from Usmanov. The French side explains its position by a "specific national security issue" and appeals from international partners regarding the Russian businessman.

The majority of other EU countries do not support the exclusion of Russians from the sanctions list amid continued massive Russian strikes on Ukraine and growing hybrid threats in Europe.

A separate dispute concerns the term of extension of restrictions. Traditionally, personal sanctions were renewed every six months, but this time the possibility of extending them immediately for 12 months is being discussed. Slovakia, according to diplomats, is not ready to support such an option.

Three Politico interlocutors reported that EU country ambassadors are to meet again later on Monday, September 14, to try to reach a compromise before the current sanctions regime expires.

Recall, on September 11, EU ambassadors also failed to agree on the extension of these restrictions. If the bloc countries do not reach an agreement by September 15, the current regime of personal sanctions may cease to apply.