EU prolongs Russian economic sanctions for six months

Washington on Monday said it welcomed the decision to extend the sanctions.

“We and our EU and G-7 partners have made clear, sanctions are directly linked to the full implementation of the Minsk agreements,” said State Department spokesman John Kirby.

“We hope all countries will condemn Russia’s aggressive actions in Ukraine, and will join the international community in imposing sanctions.”

In March, EU leaders agreed in principle to roll the sanctions over by linking them directly to the Minsk accord, which runs to December this year.

The ceasefire has largely held but Kiev and the rebels swap charges daily over breaches, and observers reported a sharp pick up in fighting earlier this month in a conflict which has claimed more than 6,500 lives and destroyed much of eastern Ukraine.

The foreign ministers of France, Germany, Ukraine and Russia are due to meet in Paris on Tuesday to review the situation.