EU Ambassadors Agree to Extend Sanctions on Russia to end-July 2016

European Union envoys have agreed to extend the bloc's economic sanctions on Russia over the crisis in Ukraine by another six months until 31 July 2016, newswires reported on Friday.

The sanctions, which apply to Russia's oil, military and energy sectors as well as individuals linked to the Ukraine conflict, were to expire on 31 january next year  

The sanctions were imposed last year in response to the annexation of the Crimean Peninsula in Ukraine by Russia and the Kremlin support support for pro-Russian rebels in eastern Ukraine.

Friday's decision by EU envoys will become final on Monday if no member srtate raises objections in writing. The current sanctions were to expire at the end of January next year without the extension.