EU extends economic sanctions against Russia

The European Union has prolonged anti-Russia economic sanctions, keeping restrictions on business with Russian energy, defense, and financial sectors until January 31, 2018.

According to a release published on Wednesday, the "decision follows an update from President Macron and Chancellor Merkel to the European Council of 22-23 June 2017 on the implementation of the Minsk Agreements."

Russian presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov said the Kremlin takes the EU's extension of sanctions "negatively and with sorrow."

Last week, EU leaders confirmed their decision to keep sanctions in place, with the President of the European Council Donald Tusk tweeting "Agreed. EU will extend economic sanctions against Russia for their lack of implementing the Minsk Agreement."

The sanctions were first introduced over the crisis in Ukraine and the...