EU agrees to extension sanctions on Russia

Today, European Union ambassadors agreed to extend widespread economic sanctions imposed on Russia for another six months due to the prosecution of the Crimea and the promotion of the conflict in Ukraine, diplomats said.

Sanctions were established in 2014. The final decision will be made by the foreign ministers of EU member states during a meeting on 12 July.

Sanctions target the country's main sectors, including banking, energy and defence.

The measures will remain in force after a peace plan for eastern Ukraine agreed on by Moscow, Kiev, Berlin and Paris in 2015 has not marked any progress in implementation.

Russia has illegally annexed the Crime Peninsula and supported separatists east of Ukraine, prompting violence that has left more than 13,000 people dead.

Tensions rose earlier this year after the Kremlin deployed tens of thousands of troops on the Ukrainian border.

Last week, EU leaders rejected a call from Germany and France to resume meetings with President Vladimir Putin, suspended since 2014.

They said this would be some kind of ransom for the Kremlin.

EU leaders ordered foreign policy chief Josep Borrell and the European Commission “to present plans for additional measures, including economic sanctions” against Russia if relations get worse. / REL