EU to announce extension of sanctions against Russia on Dec 21: Poroshenko

On December 21, the EU is to officially announce its decision to extend sanctions against Russia until July 31, 2016, the President of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko said in an interview with the Ukrainian TV channels.

The Ukrainian President reminded that on Friday, December 18, the EU Council decided to extend the sanctions unconditionally until July 31, 2016, giving the Russian authorities another seven months to complete the implementation of the Minsk agreements.

"At 13:00 [Kyiv time] on Monday, there will be an official announcement in Brussels of this important decision for Ukraine," said Poroshenko.

The European Union on December 18 extended economic sanctions against Russia for another six months. All 28 EU member states supported this move. The EU's decision will come into force after December 31, 2016. Trade and investment restrictions against Russia are to be removed only if Moscow implements the requirements of the Minsk agreements resolving the conflict in Ukraine.