The European Union intends to forge ahead with a new package of sanctions against Russia to exert greater pressure on Vladimir Putin to accept a 30-day unconditional ceasefire in Ukraine, despite the United States not doing so at this stage.

Axar.az, citing Euro News, reports that the course of action envisioned by Brussels includes tightening the price cap on Russian crude oil, which might be virtually impossible to achieve without the US joining in.

But the sanctions face an uphill struggle to be approved due to Hungary's steadfast opposition and lack of coordination with Washington.

"An 18th package is being prepared with further hard-hitting sanctions," Ursula von der Leyen, the president of the European Commission, said on Tuesday.

High Representative Kaja Kallas admitted the unanimous agreement would be "difficult" to find among member states but said the challenge should not deter the bloc from moving forward.