EU sanctions compromise TSN examines the diplomacy

Date unknown

TSN correspondent Olena Cherniakova examines the EU extension of Russian sanctions for three years alongside the removal of Fridman and Usmanov. She says their assets will likely be unfrozen but entry remains a national decision: Latvia and Estonia have imposed restrictions and Lithuania is preparing them. The report attributes French pressure and a possible link to Martin Ryan’s release in Azerbaijan to media accounts, while noting the French ambassador did not confirm that explanation. It recalls Zelenskyy’s meeting with von der Leyen, his criticism of the delisting and his support for the longer sanctions period. Ihor Zhovkva describes discussion of using unallocated SAFE money for joint Ukrainian projects. Britain’s prime minister assures Zelenskyy there are no plans to lift British sanctions. The closing account recalls Slovak advocacy for Usmanov and Luxembourg’s demand concerning Fridman’s compensation claim; it does not establish the ultimate outcome of that claim.

TSN reports discussion of directing an unused portion of the EU's €150 billion SAFE programme toward joint projects with Ukraine. Ihor Zhovkva says the idea was discussed during a phone call after von der Leyen's speech and during the New York meeting, with efforts to use funds during 2026 and implement projects by year-end or early the following year. In the original September 22 English briefing, Zelenskyy describes a parallel route in which Ukraine shares technology, ideas and drone experience while European defense allocations are used for Ukraine's needs. That interpretation calls the programme 'ASAP'. The common New York financing context and unused EU-member-state defense allocations identify the same joint-project funding proposal; the differing programme wording remains unresolved. Neither account establishes an allocation, payment or completed projects. The proposal's initiation date and the date of Zhovkva's recorded statement remain unknown.