EU Sees No Need to Hastily Prolong Sanctions Against Russia

The European Union sees no need to hastily prolong the sanctions against Russia, a source close to the EU leadership said Tuesday.

MOSCOW (Sputnik) — Legislation on extending the EU's economic sanctions against Russia will not be passed before EU leaders meet for a summit in late June, the source told RIA Novosti.

"This legislation will not be proposed before the European Council holds a political debate on June 26."

The European Union introduced economic sanctions against Russia in 2014 over Russia's alleged involvement in the conflict in the southeast of Ukraine. They are set to expire on July 31, 2015, unless the European Union adopts an act to lengthen their implementation.

The EU leaders have repeatedly stressed that lifting the sanctions fully depends on the implementation of the Minsk agreements on Ukraine reconciliation.

Moscow denies any involvement in the Ukraine internal crisis and considers the sanctions counterproductive.