The EU has announced no plans to ease sanctions against Russia.

The European Union (EU) countries are not discussing measures to ease sanctions against Russia, on the contrary, the EU is considering a new package of restrictive measures. This was announced on Thursday, March 13, by the representative of the European Commission (EC) Anita Hipper in Brussels, answering a question about possible negotiations with the United States on easing restrictions.

"We have introduced 16 packages of sanctions, which were approved unanimously, and we are working on the 17th package," RIA Novosti quoted her as saying at a briefing.

Also, speaking about Hungary's blocking of the extension of personal sanctions against the Russian Federation, which expire on March 15, Hipper pointed out that the EC "is making every effort to extend them." And she stated that the EU restrictions allegedly work.

In a special order: the authorities are ready to reduce import duties on goods after the lifting of sanctions

However, decisions will be made individually for each brand.

Earlier in the day, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that Russia had adapted perfectly to the sanctions. Peskov also recalled that the measures imposed are illegal and must be lifted.

Prior to that, on March 10, it was reported that advisers to US President Donald Trump were working on measures to ease anti-Russian sanctions. It was noted that this would include restrictions on oil prices. On the same day, Euractiv reported that the EU was alarmed by Hungary's possible attempt to disrupt the extension of anti-Russian sanctions. According to media reports, it is impossible to extend sanctions without Hungary's consent.

On February 28, Edgar Naujok, a member of the German Bundestag from the Alternative for Germany (AfD) party, also raised the possibility of Berlin blocking the introduction of EU sanctions against Russia and China.