Brussels, September 11 (RHC)-- The European Union has once again failed to reach a unanimous decision on whether to implement new sanctions against Russia over the situation in Ukraine, diplomatic sources say.
 
Speaking on condition of anonymity, the sources said on Wednesday while Germany called for the sanctions to go ahead, several other EU member states were reluctant, because a ceasefire in eastern Ukraine appears to be holding.
 
Italian Foreign Minister Federica Mogherini, who will be the EU's new foreign policy chief, told reporters in Brussels that "some countries are asking for time."
 
Mogherini added that unanimity in the decision is "absolutely crucial and strategic."  Brussels has so far imposed sanctions such as travel bans and asset freezes against several Russian, Crimean and other pro-Russian figures.
 
The restrictions were imposed after a decision by Ukraine's then autonomous region of Crimea to rejoin the Russian Federation in March.
Moscow has said that it will retaliate if the EU goes ahead with the new sanctions, possibly by banning international flights over its territory.  Western powers and the Kiev government accuse Moscow of having a hand in the crisis in eastern Ukraine, an accusation Russia adamantly denies.