EU extends sanctions on Russia over Ukraine conflict

The European Union has extended economic sanctions against Russia until January to keep pressure on Moscow over the conflict in eastern Ukraine.

An EU statement confirmed Monday that the decision was taken by foreign ministers at a meeting in Luxembourg without debate, in response to "Russia's destabilizing role in eastern Ukraine."

The sanctions include limits to access on some financial markets, a ban on certain technologies and exchanges between the bloc and Russia in energy and defense sectors. Enacted last July and reinforced in September, the sanctions had been due to expire in July.

They are now expected to expire on Jan. 31.

In response, Russia is expected to extend its ban on the import of many agricultural products from the EU, which was imposed as a countermeasure to the EU sanctions.

"Since they were extended, we will act on the principle of reciprocity," said Dmitry Peskov, President Vladimir Putin's press secretary.

EU leaders agreed in March that economic sanctions on Russia would stay until the cease-fire negotiated in Minsk, Belarus, in February is fully implemented but delayed taking a decision to formally extend the sanctions.

The Minsk agreement sets a year-end deadline for Ukraine to regain full control over its border, a goal the EU is pushing strongly.

Fighting between Ukrainian forces and Russian-backed rebels has killed more than 6,400 people and persists despite the cease-fire.

Wire services