This is stated by EU diplomats when the EU summit has just ended in Brussels.
The sanctions must be extended every six months to not cease to apply, and such a deadline occurs now at the turn of the month.
Sanctions decisions must be taken unanimously and both Hungary and Slovakia have on several occasions threatened to veto.
Even if the EU leaders have now agreed to extend the sanctions that have already been introduced, there is still no agreement on the 18th sanctions package. Hopes are that it will be possible to decide at the latest during the weekend.
