EU foreign policy chief: No progress expected on new Russia sanctions

BRUSSELS, Feb 23 (KUNA) -- EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas said Monday she does not expect an agreement on the 20th package of sanctions against Russia during a meeting of EU foreign ministers, while affirming continued efforts to push the measure forward.
Kallas told reporters in Brussels, "I think there is not going to be progress regarding this today, but we will definitely make this push".
The 27-nation bloc is seeking to impose a new round of economic sanctions on Moscow in conjunction with the fourth anniversary of the launch of Russia's full-scale military operation in Ukraine.
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, the friendliest EU leader to Moscow, announced on Sunday that Budapest would block the sanctions until the Druzhba pipeline transporting Russian oil is reopened, however, Ukraine said the pipeline was damaged by Russian strikes in January. (end) arn.res