Russia expects relations with EU not to aggravate

MOSCOW - Moscow hopes the European Union (EU) will not further aggravate mutual relations, Foreign Ministry said Thursday.

"We hope very much that common sense would prevail," the Ministry spokesman Alexander Lukashevich told reporters, adding that the EU can reconsider its partnership with deliberation, not to add pressure on Russia by sanctions.

Moscow has not been considering new retaliatory sanctions against EU, according to Lukashevich.

"Let's see how this 'epic' Council of Ministers meeting on Nov 17 turns out," Lukashevich said. "Obviously, no one has canceled the practice of giving a 'mirror' response to such unfriendly acts. "

EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Federica Mogherini hinted on Tuesday that a fresh round of sanctions against Russia could be discussed at the upcoming meeting of EU foreign ministers on Nov 17.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel said on the same day that the EU would stick to its economic sanctions against Russia. Last Tuesday, she voiced her doubts about Russia's contribution to settle the Ukraine crisis and said she saw no reason to lift sanctions against Moscow at present.

The EU imposed latest sanctions on Russia in September, while Russia, in response, pledged to take additional measures to protect its interests. The EU is heavily dependent on Russia, with a third of its oil and 39 percent of gas supplied by Russia.