“Having assessed the implementation of the Minsk agreements, the Council decided to renew the sanctions for a further six months, until 31 January 2017” the Council of European governments said. In order to recall the sanctions, EU leaders require the full implementation of the Minsk agreements between Ukraine and Russia.
 
However, discussions are already planned in coming months to look again at the restrictions, which have helped push Russia’s economy into a slump but have also hit EU farmers and other groups.
 
The EU and the United States imposed sanctions on Russia's defense, energy and financial sectors in July 2014 over Moscow's support for separatist rebels in eastern Ukraine. Moscow imposed a ban on EU farm exports in retaliation, and denies any direct backing for the rebels.
 
The decision for the extension of the sanctions was long expected. It had been delayed until Friday because Italy wanted the status of the Minsk peace and cease-fire agreements discussed first at an EU leaders’ summit in Brussels earlier this week.
 
In fact, during recent weeks, there has been continued violence involving pro-Russian separatists in eastern Ukraine.