EU extends Russia sanctions over Ukraine

Baltic states are urging closer EU defence ties with Nato

U leaders have agreed to extend economic sanctions against Russia for six more months.

Earlier, France and Germany complained that the Minsk peace deal for Ukraine was still not being fulfilled. Russia's military interventions, first in Ukraine, then in Syria, were high on the EU summit agenda in Brussels.


But Italy and Slovakia want sanctions, that have cost EU exporters billions of euros, eased. The summit focused on the crises in Europe's neighbourhood.

The destruction of Aleppo and the exodus of Syrian refugees, migrant pressure from Africa and Ukraine's conflict with Russia were key themes.

Rules for Ukraine

Russia's annexation of Ukraine's Crimea region in 2014 triggered the first round of sanctions. They have been ratcheted up, targeting Russian arms exporters, banks and individuals many of them close to President Vladimir Putin - blamed for the pro-Russian insurgency in Ukraine.

But this summit will also be remembered for its new language on ties with Ukraine - setting limits to EU support.