The deal is expected to be reached by EU ambassadors during a morning emergency Coreper and then formalized at a gathering of foreign ministers in Brussels. Hungary’s threats prompted warnings from European leaders and high-level officials in Brussels.

Hungary, one of Russia’s main friends in the EU, had left its EU counterparts fuming over a refusal so far to approve the move.

Hungary has dropped its threat to prevent EU sanctions against Russia from being rolled over for another six months.

Hungary prolonged its blockage of the renewal of sanctions against Russia as Prime Minister Viktor Orban called on the European Union to pressure Ukraine to re-establish the transit of Russian gas to Europe.

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban has warned that Hungary will block the extension of EU sanctions on Russia unless Ukraine agrees to reopen a key gas pipeline that runs through its territory, supplying gas to Central European nations like Hungary.

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán on Friday said he wants the European Union to intervene in a gas dispute his country has with Ukraine, a potential sign of friction in the bloc's upcoming discussions over renewing sanctions against Russia.

Hungary wants the European Union to persuade Ukraine to resume gas transit from Russia to Europe, Prime Minister Viktor Orban said on Friday, signalling a tough debate as the EU seeks to extend its sanctions against Russia over the coming week.