BRUSSELS (Reuters) -The European Union failed for a second day to approve a new package of sanctions against Russia on Wednesday as Slovakia continued to seek concessions over gas supplies, four EU diplomats told Reuters.

The EU's foreign policy chief also denounces that the intelligence services of Germany and the Netherlands have detected the use of chemical weapons in Ukraine by Russian troops. The 18th package of sanctions against Russia remains unapproved in Brussels.

Slovak populist Prime Minister Robert Fico has again delayed approval of the latest 18 round of EU sanctions against Russia, blaming his latest blocking on the opposition parties in Slovakia. “I’m really sad that we didn’t reach this agreement today.