EU Prolongs Russia Sanctions

BRUSSELS (AP) -- The European Union has renewed its economic sanctions against Russia for six months, after concluding that Moscow has failed to fully respect a peace agreement in eastern Ukraine.

The sanctions target Russia's financial, energy and defense sectors as well as some dual-use goods.

The EU Council said in a statement Monday that the measures have been prolonged until July 31 while it assesses Russian compliance with the Minsk peace agreements.

Despite a cease-fire declared in February, Ukraine says it still has not regained complete control over its border with Russia and that Russian-backed rebels are not respecting the cease-fire conditions.

The EU separately has imposed visa bans and asset freezes targeting several associates of President Vladimir Putin and others involved in Russia's annexation of Crimea.

(KA)