The Polish state-run PAP news agency quoted Rau as saying that it would be unrealistic to anticipate anything earlier.

"All this is still in the discussions phase," Rau said. "I believe the matter won’t be resolved until May. You can’t anticipate anything earlier."

This month Poland proposed new sanctions against Russia. These included a ban on the import of diamonds and pipeline oil. The proposal was the first salvo of what will be a long and complicated negotiation among the 27 members.

Since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, which Russian President Vladimir Putin called a "special operation", 14 months ago, the EU has adopted ten sanctions packages against Russian companies and individuals, inflicting financial and making funding the war more difficult.

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