EU ambassadors back 20th package of Russia sanctions after Hungary, Slovakia drop veto

(Kateryna Denisova, Chris Powers – The Kyiv Independent) EU ambassadors agreed on the 20th package of sanctions imposed against Moscow in response to its full-scale invasion of Ukraine on April 22, after Hungary and Slovakia lifted their veto over the measures. The move comes after the EU failed to adopt the package, which had been blocked by outgoing Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban. His defeat in national elections also paved the way for the release of a 90-billion-euros ($106-billion) loan for Kyiv, which EU envoys backed on April 22. “They will now go through a written procedure, for their final adoption by the Council. The written procedure is expected to conclude tomorrow afternoon,” a spokesperson for the Cyprus Presidency of the EU Council said. – EU ambassadors back 20th package of Russia sanctions after Hungary, Slovakia drop veto