Politics · Singapore Bureau
Azerbaijan denies pressuring France over Russian billionaire's EU sanctions
Baku has rejected allegations that it sought to influence Paris into lobbying for the removal of Russian-Uzbek billionaire Alisher Usmanov from European Union sanctions lists. A senior Azerbaijani diplomat described the claims as "categorically unfounded."
LSN Singapore ·
A top Azerbaijani diplomat firmly denied reports on Friday that Baku had applied pressure on France to advocate for the delisting of Alisher Usmanov from the EU's sanctions regime.
The diplomat characterised the allegations as "categorically unfounded," according to statements made from the Azerbaijani capital.
The disputed claims emerged amid broader scrutiny of diplomatic efforts and backchannels involving major powers and their approach to sanctions enforcement following geopolitical tensions in the region.
Usmanov, a billionaire with Russian and Uzbek interests, has faced international sanctions related to his connections and business activities. The reported allegations suggested Baku may have sought to use its diplomatic channels with France to influence EU policy on the businessman's sanctions status.
The denial from Baku comes as various stakeholders continue to navigate complex diplomatic relations and differing positions on sanctions policy across European and Central Asian capitals.