EU Fails to Extend Sanctions Against Russia

EU ambassadors failed to reach an agreement on Monday to extend one of the bloc’s Russia sanctions schemes, which target the freezing of assets of approximately 3,000 individuals and companies, just one day before they expire. The main sticking point was Slovakia's demand to remove Russian businessmen Mikhail Fridman and Alisher Usmanov from the sanctions list, with France proposing to remove only Usmanov as a compromise. Disagreements also arose over the duration of the extension, with Slovakia opposing a one-year extension. EU ambassadors will reconvene later today to continue the discussion.