Kallas: Work continues on new Russia sanctions package

The European Union’s foreign policy chief, Kaja Kallas, said she expects decisions on a 20th package of sanctions against Russia and a proposed €90 billion loan for Ukraine to be taken at an upcoming meeting of EU leaders.

Speaking in an interview during a visit to Ukraine on March 31, cited by European Pravda, Kallas addressed the prospects of resolving two key issues for Kyiv that have been blocked due to opposition from Hungary and Slovakia.

“Work is ongoing to overcome these obstacles, but unfortunately, today I do not have good news... Therefore, we are working, and I hope we will be able to secure this decision at the next meeting of the European Council,” she said.

The next formal meeting of the European Council is scheduled for June 18–19. However, the loan decision could technically be finalised earlier at an informal gathering of EU leaders on April 23–24, provided that Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban withdraws his opposition.

A request has been sent to the European Commission to clarify which specific meeting Kallas was referring to.

There is also a possibility that EU leaders could convene an extraordinary summit before June to address energy challenges as well as issues related to Ukraine. However, no final decision has been made and no date has yet been set.

By Tamilla Hasanova