BRUSSELS (AFP) - The European Union agreed Monday (Dec 21) to prolong damaging economic sanctions against Russia for its involvement in the Ukraine crisis for another six months, a statement said.

The 28 member states took the decision because the Minsk peace accords, which Russia signed up to, would not be fully implemented by end-2015 as required, it said.

"Since the Minsk agreements will not be fully implemented by 31 December 2015, the duration of the sanctions has been prolonged whilst the Council (of member states) continues its assessment of progress in implementation," it said.