Slovakia continues to block new sanctions against Russia, EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas announced today. She made the announcement after a meeting of foreign ministers of EU member states. Slovakia was not represented by Minister Juraj Blanár, but only by State Secretary Marek Eštok.

"We were very close to reaching an agreement with Slovakia. The ball is now in Slovakia's court," Kallas said.

The new sanctions were not voted on at all, as each member state has a veto right. Prime Minister Robert Fico is blocking the sanctions because he is demanding compensation from the Union for the planned cut-off of the entire EU from Russian oil and gas.

Foreign ministers may vote on the 18th package of sanctions against Russia this week - either tomorrow, Wednesday or Friday.

What's in the new sanctions package?

The Commission proposes to add 22 more Russian banks to the list, expanding restrictions on them beyond exclusion from the global SWIFT system to a complete ban on banking transactions.

The Commission also proposes to impose sanctions on the Russian Direct Investment Fund, Moscow's state investment fund, to prevent it from financing projects to"modernize the Russian economy."