EU leaders agree to extend Russia sanctions until mid-2017 - diplomats

BRUSSELS, Dec 15 (Reuters) - European Union leaders agreed on Thursday to extend the bloc's main economic sanctions against Russia over the turmoil in Ukraine for six months until mid-2017, diplomats said.

The decision was expected and the formal process to extend the sanctions on Russia's defence, energy and financial sectors will take place early next week, they said.

(Reporting by Gabriela Baczynska)

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