BRUSSELS — European Union governments will take a decision on a package of new sanctions against Russia by Friday, Italian Foreign Minister Federica Mogherini told the European Parliament on Tuesday.
"On Monday, yesterday, the Coreper [EU ambassadors] met, the Commission is going to present the proposal, finalized proposal of the package by tomorrow, and the decision will be taken by Friday," Mogherini said.
She added the Commission was working on a strengthened package of sanctions against Russia over its military invasion of Ukraine in four sectors, which include defense, dual use goods and finance.
EU leaders chose Mogherini on Saturday to be the bloc's next foreign policy chief, succeeding Briton Catherine Ashton when she steps down in October.
Mogherini, who some eastern European states have criticized as being too soft on Russia, said the situation in Ukraine had changed because of Russia's behavior and the EU-Russia relationship was no longer a partnership.
"A strategic partnership is over. Clearly it's over and that was Moscow's choice We have a problem on the Ukrainian territory. We have a conflict, clearly," she said.
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