EU Not Planning to Expand Anti-Russia Sanctions

The expansion of EU economic sanctions against Russia is not expected as the block readies the extension of the restrictive measures already in place, a source close to EU senior officials told RIA Novosti on Sunday.

GARMISCH-PARTENKIRCHEN (Sputnik) – The source speaking on the sidelines of an annual Group of Seven (G7) summit underway in Bavaria, Germany, said that the sanctions against Russia would remain the same.

Earlier in the day, European Council President Donald Tusk said that anti-Russia sanctions should remain in place, as there is a clear violation of the Minsk agreements on Ukraine reconciliation.

The bloc is expected to debate the issue of sanctions at an EU summit on June 25-26 but Tusk said at a press conference that the decision to keep the restrictive measures could be taken before the meeting.

Most of the European Union's economic sanctions against Russia are due to expire in July. The European leaders have repeatedly stressed that the extension of the restrictive measures would depend on the implementation of the Minsk agreements on Ukraine reconciliation.

Russia has repeatedly and unequivocally called the sanctions counterproductive.