New package of EU sanctions against Russia possible later in Nov - European Commission

BRUSSELS. Nov 10 (Interfax) - The 12th package of European Union sanctions against Russia will be presented later this month instead of this week, despite what European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has said, European Commission spokesman Eric Mamer said.

"Negotiations on preparing sanctions can take a bit longer than expected. We certainly hoped that we would be able to get to the presentation of the proposal by today [...] Discussion, therefore, are ongoing," Mamer said at a press briefing in Brussels on Friday in response to a corresponding question.

The European Commission hopes to present the package very soon, he said.

Mamer added that, out of caution, he would refrain from giving specific dates.

"We were hoping they would be this week Very soon is certainly not next month. But I prefer saying a bit vague these things don't depend only on us [the European Commission]," he said.

The European Union is discussing the possibility of a new package of sanctions against Russia, including export restrictions on chemicals, technologies and diamonds from Russia.