EU: Russia sanctions to remain until full Minsk implementation

BRUSSELS

European Union leaders decided Thursday to maintain Russia’s sanctions, set to expire in July, until the Minsk agreement is fully implemented.

EU heads of government gathered in Brussels Thursday for a two-day summit, during which the Ukraine crisis and Greek bailout negotiations are among the top subjects.

"The duration of economic sanctions will be clearly linked to the full implementation of the Minsk agreement," European Council President Donald Tusk told reporters in Brussels. "We have to maintain our sanctions until the Minsk agreement is fully implemented."

On Feb.12, Russia, Ukraine, France and Germany signed a second peace accord, also called the Minsk agreement, over the crisis in Ukraine. 

However, fighting in eastern Ukraine between pro-Russian separatists and Ukrainian soldiers has still been observed by international monitors.