EU sanctions against Russia to be extended without debate on Friday source

The European Union members share the view that the agreements reached at a European Council meeting in March, which tie the effect of sanctions against Russia to full implementation of the Minsk Agreements on Ukraine remain valid, and therefore, no debates on the matter are expected at the EU summit on December 17-18, the official told journalists anonymously in Brussels on Wednesday. There is a consensus on extending the sanctions among the 28 EU member-states, the source said. Another diplomatic source told Interfax that, in keeping with the established procedure, the EU Council is to make a legal decision formalizing the permanent representatives' conclusions through a written procedure before December 25.