The European Commission and representatives of EU countries discussed at the weekend the preparation of the ninth package of sanctions against Russia, it is proposed to introduce 180 new positions into the sanctions lists, Politico reported, citing diplomats.

Measures are being discussed in relation to the sphere of technology, finance and media.

Several interlocutors expressed confidence that the new measures could be agreed relatively quickly, perhaps before the meeting of the EU Council on Foreign Affairs and the EU summit next week.

The head of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, said in late November that the EU was actively working on the next package of restrictions against Russia because of the conflict in Ukraine. According to von der Leyen, the EU is working hard to weaken the Russian economy and will not stop until Ukraine wins.

The EU has already imposed eight sanctions packages against Russia since February, when Russia launched a special military operation in Ukraine. The latest sanctions package was approved in early October.