EU: why France blocks sanctions against Alicher Ousmanov, a Russian oligarch

The renewal of European sanctions against Russia has been postponed by a week due to France and Slovakia's refusal to keep Alicher Ousmanov on the sanctions list. France is reportedly seeking an exception for Ousmanov as part of negotiations for the release of French nationals detained in Azerbaijan. Ousmanov has been under sanctions since 2022 due to his ties to the Russian government, and his inclusion on the list was upheld by the European Court in September 2025.