RussianFirst Deputy Prime Minister Igor Shuvalov said the government has decided notto sell a stake in state-controlled JSC VTB Bank in 2016, Vedomosti reported July 11.

"Wethought that perhaps the deal could take place in 2016, then we heldconsultations and decided that it was not the best time," Shuvalov wascited as saying.

Shuvalovdid not say why the planned sale of a 10.9% stake was postponed, although analysts said thedecision was most probably taken because of Western sanctions, which wouldnarrow the number of potential investors, the newspaper noted.

Shuvalovalso said there are currently no plans for the privatization of , thereport added.