Negotiations are stalled by member-state objections and a dispute over oil transit, raising doubts about the 20th package’s approval at the next European Council meeting.
The European Union and the member states continue to work on overcoming obstacles to approving the 20th sanctions package against Russia at the upcoming European Council meeting.
In Bucha, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas told reporters that there are obstacles both to the package itself and to loan repayment. Work to overcome them continues, but today we cannot promise good news; we are all pursuing a decision at the next European Council meeting.
Status of negotiations on the sanctions package
On 23 February, the foreign ministers of EU member states did not reach an agreement on the 20th sanctions package against the aggressor country.
On the eve of the meeting, Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto stated that his government would block the adoption until the transit of Russian oil through the Druzhba pipeline is restored.
On March 31, together with EU ministers, Kaja Kallas, the EU’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, arrived in Kyiv to honor the memory of the victims of Russia’s occupation in Bucha.
Yes, we have some obstacles on the path to the 20th sanctions package, as well as regarding the loan repayment. Work to overcome them continues, but, unfortunately, today I cannot report good news. We are still working, and we hope we will obtain this decision at the next European Council.
– Kaja Kallas
Overall, the situation with agreeing the 20th sanctions package remains dynamic, but expectations for its adoption at the next European Council meeting persist.