The European Union “cannot afford” a failure to reach an agreement on the bloc’s proposed sixth round of sanctions on Russia, according to European Parliament President Roberta Metsola.

“I sincerely hope that an agreement can be reached. We can’t afford it if there isn’t one “After meeting with the heads of EU member states, Metsola told a press conference in Brussels.

“While I recognise the challenges that different countries face,” she added, “there is a limit to how much flexibility we can accept without losing credibility with our populace.”

While sanctions packages “are never simple to accept,” she expressed optimism that the EU will be able to “achieve an accord that is effective, has beef, and has teeth.”

“Would we have preferred it to go on a little longer? Yes, of course. Is that still something we want to pursue? Yes, of course. And we’ll keep emphasising this issue “In addition, the President of the European Parliament stated.