Paris Pressures EU to Delist Usmanov to Secure Release of Detained French Nationals in Azerbaijan

The French government is advocating for the removal of Russian-Uzbek billionaire Alisher Usmanov from the European Union sanctions list in order to secure the release of several French nationals currently detained in Azerbaijan, sources familiar with the diplomatic negotiations have revealed.

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This stance has significantly complicated Brussels’ endeavors to renew EU sanctions against Russia, which encompass nearly 3,000 individuals and entities accused of supporting Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. The measures are due to expire this month.

The initial impasse stemmed from Slovakia, which had long advocated for Usmanov’s removal from the sanctions list for distinct, unrelated reasons.

Paris unexpectedly aligned with Bratislava on Friday, demanding his delisting—a move that caught diplomats off guard, according to Euronews reports.

EU ambassadors reached a consensus on Monday to prolong the sanctions by one week, extending them to September 22, thereby providing member states additional time to negotiate a compromise. Should no agreement be reached, all Russian nationals would be automatically delisted, heightening the urgency of the situation.

“France is not willing to compromise, but yielding at this juncture would send the wrong message at the worst possible time,” an official stated on the condition of anonymity.

“I am uncertain whether circumstances will alter within a week.”

The majority of member states continue to oppose removing individuals from the sanctions list while Russia persists in its war against Ukraine and amidst ongoing concerns regarding hybrid threats in Europe.

Nevertheless, certain officials acknowledge that France has invoked national security concerns—a principle typically reserved for critical matters. The French government has declined to comment on the matter.

“Every action has its rationale,” a diplomat remarked.

However, the last-minute maneuver has frustrated diplomats who firmly oppose the removal of any Russian nationals from the sanctions list.

A diplomat familiar with the discussions stated that Paris’ quid-pro-quo approach effectively constituted a veto of the EU’s common position, drawing comparisons to tactics previously employed by Hungary under Viktor Orbán.

Meanwhile, France maintains that it remains one of the bloc’s most steadfast supporters of sanctions against Russia.

The Financial Times initially broke the news regarding the prisoner swap in Azerbaijan.

Usmanov was placed on the EU sanctions list shortly after Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. The EU Council justified the measure by citing his “close ties” with Russian President Vladimir Putin and his substantial interests in “key sectors” of the Russian economy.

Usmanov denies the allegations and has vigorously campaigned for his removal from the list.

Slovakia has also long called for the removal of both Usmanov and fellow Russian businessman Mikhail Fridman from the sanctions list. Other EU member states have thus far rejected this request, which they view as politically motivated.

Earlier this year, a media investigation unveiled a two-page letter sent by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan to Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico, requesting assistance in ending what Erdoğan characterized 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 March 2, 2026.

The document indicated that Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Uzbekistan also endorsed Usmanov’s removal.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy criticized the state of the negotiations during his Monday evening address, specifically naming Usmanov and Fridman.

“This is definitely not the time to lift sanctions or to rescue Russian oligarchs from them, and certainly not the time for Europe to give Russia gifts,” Zelenskyy stated.

“Usmanov, Fridman, and other Russian figures like them have not taken action against the war thus far. This is not the time for Europe to forget what is happening.”

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