The new French Foreign Minister believes that the EU will reach an agreement on the sixth package of sanctions against Russia.

"We must adopt as quickly as possible the sixth package of sanctions that foresees the progressive end of the imports of Russian oil and to lift the remaining hesitations," Catherine Colonna told a news conference alongside her German counterpart Annalena Baerbock in Berlin. "We hope do it quickly and I'm optimistic."

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, who opposes a phased embargo on Russian oil, wrote a letter to the President of the European Council on May 23 saying it was unlikely a solution would be found at a meeting of EU heads of state next week.

The column, on its first trip abroad since its appointment as foreign minister, sought to highlight the importance of the Franco-German partnership.

Coming to Berlin as a first step was obvious. Franco-German cooperation is necessary in normal times, and even more so in times of crisis, she said.

Both ministers said their countries would continue to step up military, humanitarian and financial support for Ukraine.