Foreign policy chief: EU not likely to agree on Russian sanctions

EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said she does not expect progress on February 23 regarding the 20th package of sanctions against Russia, citing Hungary’s statements about blocking the measures, as she arrived at the EU Foreign Affairs Council meeting.

“There will be a discussion of the 20th package of sanctions, but, as we all know, I don't think there will be any progress on this today, but we will definitely make that push,” Kallas said at the meeting of EU foreign ministers on February 23, Caliber.Az reports per foreign media.

Earlier, the EU had indicated hopes of adopting a new package of sanctions before the first anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine on February 24.

However, Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó said the day before that Hungary intends to block the adoption of the 20th package. According to him, Budapest will not agree to new sanctions until Ukraine restores oil transit to Hungary and Slovakia through the Druzhba oil pipeline.

By Sabina Mammadli