EU leaders close ranks over roll-over economic sanctions against Russia

BRUSSELS, Dec. 14 (Xinhua) -- European Union (EU) leaders Thursday closed ranks over rolling over sanctions against Russia for its alleged role in the Ukraine conflict.

"EU united on roll-over of economic sanctions on Russia," European Council President Donald Tusk tweeted Thursday evening when EU leaders were taking a working dinner.

The Council of the EU is expected to adopt a formal decision in the coming days.

The EU slapped the sanctions on Russia in July and September 2014 in response to an alleged role that Russia had played in conflicts in east Ukraine.

In March 2015, EU leaders decided to align the existing sanctions to the complete implementation of the Minsk agreements.

Since then the EU has rolled over the sanctions every six months.

The sanctions are targeting Russia's financial, energy and defense sectors, and the area of dual-use goods.

European leaders gathered in Brussels Thursday for the final two-day EU summit of this year. The first day's agenda include defense cooperation, migration and social issues.

EU leaders, except British Prime Minister Theresa May, will hold a "Euro Summit" on Friday morning to discuss the next steps for the economic and monetary union and the banking union.

Afterwards, the EU27 leaders are expected to adopt guidelines for the second phase of Brexit talks, which focus on transitional arrangements and future relationship with Britain. Enditem