Austria clears way for new sanctions package against Russia

Reuters reported the information.

EU foreign ministers are set to gather in Luxembourg on Monday, where they hope to finalize the 19th package of sanctions against Russia.

The adoption of the package reached a deadlock, as Austria demanded that the EU lift sanctions on a portion of Russian assets to compensate Austria's Raiffeisen Bank International for fines imposed by Russia.

However, other EU governments did not agree with this. The sanctions package requires the unanimous support of the 27 EU member states.

"Austria supports continued pressure on Russia and will approve the 19th package of sanctions on Monday," the agency quoted the Austrian Foreign Ministry as saying.

Slovakia also expressed reservations on the matter, but four EU diplomats stated that the European Commission is expected to publish a letter on Monday that will address Slovakia's concerns.