**France Seeks Delisting of Russian Tycoon in Exchange for Detained Citizens**
France is reportedly advocating for the European Union (EU) to lift sanctions on Russian billionaire Alisher Usmanov, in return for the release of several French citizens currently detained in Azerbaijan, including one convicted of espionage. This development marks a significant shift in France's stance within the EU regarding sanctions against Russia.
In a surprising move last week, France aligned itself with Slovakia, breaking away from the consensus of most EU member states by refusing to support the extension of sanctions on Russia unless Usmanov's name is removed from the sanctions list. Slovakia has been a vocal proponent of delisting Usmanov and fellow Russian businessman Mikhail Fridman, which has contributed to a stalemate in renewing the sanctions regime.
The current sanctions, which target over 3,000 individuals and entities, were extended until September 22 as negotiations continue. If EU ambassadors cannot reach an agreement by that date, the entire sanctions framework could legally expire, raising concerns within the bloc about the implications for its foreign policy towards Russia.
While France has not elaborated extensively on its rationale, officials have cited “national security” as a key concern. However, reports from the Financial Times and Euronews suggest that France's push for Usmanov's delisting is directly linked to efforts to secure the release of its citizens detained in Azerbaijan.
Among those detained is businessman Martin Ryan, who was arrested in Baku in 2023 and sentenced to ten years in prison for espionage. Azerbaijani authorities accused him of collaborating with French intelligence to gather sensitive information regarding the nation’s military and foreign relations, charges that Paris has vehemently denied. Another French national, Anass Derraz, is serving a nine-year sentence related to a separate bribery case.
The exact number of French citizens currently held in Azerbaijan remains unclear, but at least two individuals are known to be involved in the negotiations. The discussions surrounding Usmanov's sanctions have gained traction, particularly as Azerbaijan has been actively lobbying for his removal from the EU blacklist, citing his longstanding connections with the country’s leadership and ties to the broader Turkic community.
A letter from Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico earlier this year reportedly indicated that several governments, including Baku, support Usmanov’s delisting from EU sanctions. This regional backing underscores the geopolitical complexities surrounding the sanctions and the potential implications for EU relations with Azerbaijan and Turkey.
Usmanov, an Uzbek-born businessman with significant investments in metals, mining, and telecommunications, was sanctioned by the EU in February 2022 due to his alleged connections with Russian President Vladimir Putin and interests in sectors that are believed to generate substantial revenue for the Russian government. Usmanov has consistently denied these allegations and has challenged the sanctions in European courts, recently achieving victories in defamation cases in Germany regarding media claims about his ties to the Kremlin.
As the EU navigates this contentious issue, the interplay between national interests, regional alliances, and broader geopolitical dynamics will be critical in determining the future of sanctions against Russian individuals and entities. The outcome of these negotiations will not only impact the detained French citizens but also shape the EU’s approach to its sanctions policy in the context of ongoing tensions with Russia.