EU fails again to agree new Russia sanctions, talks to resume Friday - sources

BRUSSELS, Feb 23 (Reuters) - European Union countries on Thursday failed to agree on a new set of sanctions against Russia that they had planned to have in place for the one-year anniversary of Moscow's invasion of Ukraine on Friday, diplomatic sources told Reuters.

The 27 EU countries need to agree unanimously to introduce sanctions. The sources said Poland was blocking the package over proposed exemptions to a ban on EU imports of Russian synthetic rubber.

Polish diplomats said the exemptions were so big they would render the sanctions ineffective. Other sources said the exemptions were proposed to accommodate Italy, backed by Germany.

Representatives of the member states were due to meet again at 0900 GMT on Friday - the day Russia invaded Ukraine last year - to try seal a deal, according to the sources. (Reporting by Gabriela Baczynska)