The EC will not present the 12th package of sanctions against Russia this week

The European Commission (EC) will not be able to present a new package of sanctions against Russia this week. This was announced by EC spokesman Eric Mamer.

“We, of course, hoped that we would be able to submit our proposal by today, but it’s not working out. Discussions are ongoing. We hope to present [санкционный пакет] very soon,” he said (quote according to TASS).

Mamer did not name a specific date for the presentation of the 12th package of sanctions.

November 1, Politico newspaper citing four European diplomats wrotethat the EC’s proposals for new restrictions will be sent to EU countries in the week from 6 to 12 November. Two interlocutors noted that discussion of new measures could take from one week to the end of the year. In an interview with The Financial Times, EU diplomacy chief Josep Borrell reportedthat the EU will present the 12th package of sanctions against Russia to foreign ministers on November 13.

It is expected that the 12th package of sanctions will include a ban on the supply of diamonds from Russia. In early November, EC President Ursula von der Leyen spokethat, in addition to new import and export bans, the package will also include measures to tighten oil prices. In addition, according to Politico, the EU plans to introduce additional measures to combat sanctions evasion.

Earlier, press secretary of the Russian President Dmitry Peskov saidthat, despite the “shortage of ideas,” sanctions pressure on Russia will continue along with attempts to strengthen it. He stressed that the country’s economy is ready for this. Commenting on the EU’s plans to limit trade in Russian diamonds, Peskov said that this would lead to the formation of gaps, since the world market is rich in alternatives.