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EU mistakenly welcomes 12th package of anti-Russian sanctions before its adoption

A high-ranking EU official confirmed that the new package has not been officially adopted yet, and the statement’s provision referred to political will to implement it

BRUSSELS, December 15. /TASS/. Leaders of the European Union member states issued a final declaration that welcomes the adoption of the 12th package of anti-Russian sanctions, which is yet to be adopted.

"The European Council welcomes the adoption of the 12th package of sanctions," the document says.

The error was noticed by many journalists on the sidelines of the summit. When asked to comment on the inconsistency, a high-ranking EU official confirmed that the new package has not been officially adopted yet, and the statement’s provision referred to political will to implement it.

At the same time, the diplomat told reporters that Austria has withdrawn its objections.

"Yes, it has withdrawn," the source said.

The diplomat emphasized that the document was still in the process of formal adoption.

Earlier, Reuters reported, citing EU sources, that the process was blocked by Austria, who demanded that Ukraine exclude its Raiffeisen Bank International from the blacklist of companies supporting Russia.

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