EU Leaders Refuse to Strengthen Sanctions Against Russia: Hollande

French President Francois Hollande announced that the EU leaders at the moment have no plans on new sanctions against Russia, and the easing of those currently imposed will depend on the situation in Ukraine.

BRUSSELS, December 19 (Sputnik) — EU leaders have not made a decision on new sanctions against Russia, and easing of those currently imposed will depend on the situation in Ukraine, French President Francois Hollande stated.

"There were no new sanctions, because they should not be. Easing of sanctions will depend on our affirmation of progress," Hollande told journalists after the EU summit in Brussels.

On Thursday, a European diplomat told RIA Novosti that at the summit in Brussels, EU heads could discuss reducing sanctions imposed on Russia.

The European Union adopted several rounds of sanctions against Russia over Moscow’s alleged role in Ukrainian crisis. The sanctions targeted the banking, energy and defense sectors, as well as certain individuals. Russia has repeatedly denied its involvement in Ukraine’s internal affairs.