“They [the European Commission] will present it soon, maybe even on Friday [Sept. 19],” Vlasiuk wrote in a Facebook post.
“Some additions have been made. The pause has paid off."
He added that the deliberations have introduced a new approach to using frozen Russian assets by extending Ukraine a loan, with repayment deferred until Moscow pays war reparations.
“Let’s see how the discussion progresses; this is significant money and assistance; I’m glad our diplomacy has delivered results,” he said.
Earlier, Ukraine’s Foreign Ministry dismissed as “pure speculation” reports that the EU delayed its 19th sanctions package at the request of U.S. President Donald Trump, who reportedly demanded 100% tariffs on China and India, as a penalty for imports of Russian oil.
On Sept. 16, Bloomberg, citing an unnamed European diplomat, reported the EU postponed the package after Trump insisted Europe toughen its measures as a condition for advancing U.S. sanctions. Politico later reported the new sanctions would not be introduced on Sept. 17 as planned; capitals were notified late Monday, Sept. 15, with no date set for their release.