FRANKFURT/BRUSSELS, Oct 18 (Reuters) - Austria said on

Saturday that it would agree to the European Union's latest

sanctions package against Russia, in an about-face of its

earlier stance and removing a key hurdle ahead of a vote early

next week.

EU foreign ministers are due to convene on Monday in

Luxembourg when they hope to finalise the bloc's 19th sanctions

package against Moscow for its invasion of Ukraine.

Reuters reported earlier this month the passage of the

package was deadlocked because Austria was demanding that the EU

unfreeze some Russian assets to compensate Austria's Raiffeisen

Bank International for penalties imposed by Russia.

But other EU governments would not go along. The package

needs unanimous support from the EU's 27 member states.

"Austria supports continued pressure on Russia and will

approve the 19th package of sanctions on Monday," the country's

foreign ministry said in a statement.

The sanctions package includes an array of energy and

financial measures, including a ban on Russian liquefied natural

gas from January 1, 2027, bringing forward the date from January

1, 2028.

Slovakia has also voiced reservations about it, but four EU

diplomats said the European Commission was expected to issue a

letter on Monday that should address Slovakia's concerns.

Neither Slovakia's foreign ministry nor the Commission

immediately responded to a request for comment.