MOSCOW, November 27. /TASS/. President of the European Commission Jean-Claude Juncker does not consider it possible to lift sanctions against Russia in the nearest future, though he thinks "without Russia, there is no security architecture in Europe" as he said in an interview aired by the Euronews TV channel in the Global Conversation program.

"Up until now, I have seen no argument for the sanctions against Russia being immediately lifted. I would like to have an agreement with Russia that goes beyond the ordinary framework, bearing in mind that without Russia, there is no security architecture in Europe," he said.

According to Juncker, "Russia must be treated as one big entity, as a proud nation." "We have a lot to learn about the depths of Russia, we are very ignorant about it at the moment. I would like to have discussions on a level footing with Russia," he said, adding that "Russia is not, as President Obama said, ‘a regional power’," and calling it "a big error in assessment.".