The EU extended by seven days the deadline to renew sanctions listings targeting Russia after member states failed to reach unanimous agreement on a six-month rollover. France has joined Slovakia in seeking the removal of Russian-Uzbek billionaire Alisher Usmanov from the EU sanctions list, a position European diplomats said was linked to Azerbaijan’s detention of two French nationals. Paris said its stance reflected national security considerations and positive responses to approaches from international partners. The deadline now runs to September 22, while diplomats are watching how France seeks to resolve the impasse without damaging its support for Ukraine or confidence in the EU sanctions process. The listings cover nearly 3,000 companies and individuals through asset freezes and travel bans.