On 16 September 2026 Reuters reported that French diplomats had sought to remove Russian billionaire Alisher Usmanov from the EU sanctions list after direct pressure from Baku. The request triggered immediate concern in Brussels. Sanctions unity was questioned.
💡 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- Q: Why is Azerbaijan pressuring France over Alisher Usmanov?
- A: According to Reuters, Baku applied direct pressure on French diplomats to seek removal of Russian billionaire Alisher Usmanov from the EU sanctions list.
- Q: What impact does this have on EU sanctions unity?
- A: The request triggered immediate concern in Brussels and raised questions about the cohesion of EU sanctions policy against Russia.
- Q: When was this reported?
- A: Reuters reported the development on 16 September 2026.