BRUSSELS, September 26. /ITAR-TASS/. The European Union may begin discussions on lifting sanctions against Russia in October, and lifting the first block of sanctions is not probable before November, a European diplomatic source told ITAR-TASS on Friday.

The source said the de-sanctions' process may be organized only on the step-by-step basis depending on development of the situation in Ukraine.

The diplomat said about two possible ways of lifting sanctions, “where both are on the step-by-step basis, and lifting of the entire block at a time will not be possible.”

“The very discussion on the sanctions is due in October, as next week the European External Action Service (EEAS) presents to the Committee of Permanent Representatives (COREPER) its analysis of progress in implementation of the peace plan for Ukraine as well as observation of the truce in Ukraine’s south-eastern regions,” the source said.

“Initial plan was the presentation could be made before end of this week,” the diplomat said.

Earlier this week, information from Brussels said COREPER’s meeting on lifting sanctions was due on Friday, September 26, but on Thursday EEAS confirmed to ITAR-TASS the analysis of implementation of the peace plan in Ukraine was not finalized and “will be presented to COREPER next week only.