The European Union is scrambling to reach a consensus on extending sanctions against Russia over the war in Ukraine, as a standoff with France threatens to derail the process.

The 27‑nation bloc had already postponed its deadline last week, pushing the decision to midnight Tuesday (2200 GMT). The sanctions package, which includes asset freezes and visa bans on nearly 3,000 individuals and entities, must be renewed every six months with unanimous approval from all member states.

Tensions flared after France demanded that Russian oligarch Alisher Usmanov be removed from the sanctions blacklist, sparking divisions among EU partners. Usmanov, a billionaire with close ties to the Kremlin, has long been a controversial figure in the bloc’s sanctions regime.

The sanctions remain a cornerstone of the EU’s response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022, targeting Moscow’s political elite, military networks, and financial backers. Analysts warn that failure to reach agreement could weaken the EU’s united front and embolden Russia at a critical moment in the war.

Diplomats say negotiations are ongoing, but the dispute highlights the challenges of maintaining unity within the bloc as the conflict drags on.