France blocks consensus on removing Russian oligarch from EU sanctions

France is pushing to remove Russian billionaire Alisher Usmanov from the EU's sanctions blacklist, but other member states remain unconvinced, creating a deadlock within the bloc. The disagreement highlights tensions over sanctions policy towards Russia and the conditions under which designated individuals might be delisted.

Byte's take

France's mercy for a Russian oligarch reveals the EU's achilles heel: sanctions unanimity rules let one capital paralyze the entire bloc.