EU Fails to Agree on Putin Sanctions Renewal

EU ambassadors failed again on Monday to agree on renewing individual sanctions against Russia, leaving restrictions on Russian President Vladimir Putin and thousands of other people and entities unresolved shortly before they expire. The EU’s Committee of Permanent Representatives, known as Coreper, discussed the renewal on Monday morning but reached no decision, European Pravda reported, citing EU diplomatic sources.JOIN US ON TELEGRAMFollow our coverage of the war on the @Kyivpost_official. “Coreper did not decide on extending the sanctions. The next meeting is scheduled after lunch,” one diplomat said. A second meeting was expected later on Monday. The current short-term extension of the sanctions is due to expire on Tuesday. France and Slovakia seek delistings EU countries normally renew the individual sanctions every six months. However, on Sept. 14, they extended the restrictions for only seven days after failing to resolve objections raised by France and Slovakia. The two countries reportedly want Russian oligarchs removed from the sanctions list before approving a longer extension. European Pravda previously reported that France was seeking the removal of billionaire Alisher Usmanov. During earlier negotiations in March, Slovakia pushed for the removal of Usmanov and Alfa Bank co-founder Mikhail Fridman. Any decision to extend or amend the sanctions requires unanimous approval from all 27 EU member states. An objection from one government can therefore block the renewal of the entire list. Other Topics of Interest Russia Committed Nearly 900 Sexual Violence Crimes in Ukraine The victims included 16 children, the youngest just 4 years old, with most documented survivors being male prisoners of war and civilian detainees. The unresolved extension covers sanctions against Putin, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, former Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych and other senior officials, military commanders, lawmakers, businesspeople, and entities accused of supporting Russia’s war against Ukraine. What the sanctions cover The EU sanctions regime applies to nearly 3,000 individuals and entities associated with Russia’s aggression, occupation of Ukrainian territory, and efforts to undermine Ukraine’s sovereignty and independence. The measures include asset freezes and travel bans. EU citizens and companies are also prohibited from making funds or other economic resources available to sanctioned people and organizations. The bloc introduced the regime in 2014 following Russia’s occupation and illegal annexation of Crimea. It was significantly expanded after Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. The dispute concerns individual listings and is separate from the EU’s broader sectoral restrictions on the Russian economy, which have their own renewal timetable. The EU also adopted its 21st sanctions package in July, targeting additional vessels in Russia’s shadow fleet, financial institutions, and businesses supporting Moscow’s war effort. EU diplomats were expected to make another attempt to resolve the disagreement later Monday. Without unanimous approval, the individual sanctions could lapse when the temporary extension expires. Kyiv Post is Ukraine’s first and oldest English news organization, reporting since 1995. Its international reach – 97% of readers are outside of Ukraine – make it truly Ukraine’s global voice.