MOSCOW, November 13 (Sputnik) – Moscow hopes that while the European Union reviews possible new sanctions against Russia next week, "common sense will prevail," Russian Foreign Ministry spokesman Alexander Lukashevich said during a briefing Thursday.
"Let's see how this 'epic' Council of Ministers meeting on November 17 turns out. We really hope that common sense and sober consideration will prevail as partnership with Russia cannot be accomplished using the pressures of sanctions," Lukashevich said.
On Tuesday EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini stated that the European Union's foreign ministers would consider the expansion of sanctions against Russia at their meeting next Monday.
The European Union, the United States and a number of their allies have implemented several rounds of sanctions against Russia over its alleged role in the Ukrainian crisis, targeting Russia's energy, defense and banking sectors, although Moscow has repeatedly denied any involvement in the conflict.
Western nations have already mentioned the possibility of having the sanctions lifted following the successful implementation of the Minsk agreements. However, German Chancellor Angela Merkel said last week there was no reason to do so in light of Moscow's attitude toward the November 2 elections in the Donetsk and Luhansk people's republics.
Russia said it respected, although it did not officially recognize, the elections in the people's republics.
