(Adnkronos) – Italy opposes Hungary’s decision to block approval of a 20th package of European Union sanctions against Russia over its four-year occupation of Ukraine and the bloc’s 90 billion euro loan to Kiev, foreign minister Antonio Tajani said on Monday.
“We do not agree with it,” Tajani said on the sidelines of an EU Council meeting in Brussels.
“But these decisions require unanimity, said Tajani.
“We are in favour of the new sanctions and the 90 billion euro loan. Our position is in line with that of the overwhelming majority within the European Union. This is Italy’s position: we stand with Ukraine.”
Italy will “continue to support Ukraine in every way”, Tajani underlined.
“Those who don’t want to make choices that push Moscow in a more moderate direction are wrong,” he said.
Whether the bloc can overcome Hungary’s veto “depends on what the Ukrainians, Hungarians and Slovaks do,” Tajani stated.
“Our goal is peace, our goal is dialogue in order to reach a solution. But it must be a positive solution that does not penalise Ukraine,” he sid.
