EU continues working on 18th package of anti-Russian sanctions, not ruling out compromise with Hungary - Kallas

BRUSSELS. June 23 (Interfax) - European Union authorities have seen Hungary's attempts to block anti-Russian sanctions before, and Brussels, which is working on its 18th package of sanctions, does not rule out a compromise, EU diplomacy chief Kaja Kallas said.

"Hungary blocking a package is nothing new [...] we are working on this to get the package through," Kallas told a press conference, when asked whether the EU was going to approve the sanctions by this weekend.

There is no need to rush things, it is necessary to wait and see what compromises have to be made to agree on the package, she said. "So, the work is still ongoing," Kallas said.

Hungary and Slovakia blocked the new EU package of anti-Russian sanctions, a report on the 24.hu news website said earlier on Monday, citing Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto.

The European Commission presented its proposals for the 18th package earlier this month. The Russian oil price cap was examined both as part of the package and in the context of a recent G7 summit, but an oil price increase caused by the escalation in the Middle East made such plans less pressing.