EU agrees extending Russia economic sanctions, formal decision pending

After more than two years of sanctions imposed over Moscow's annexation of Crimea from Kiev and a pro-Russian insurrection in eastern Ukraine, more EU politicians are now urging a softer stance toward Russia, a key trade partner and energy provider.

The initial decision on June 21 must still be formally approved by the bloc's ministers after France and Britain asked for time to receive comments from their parliaments, although these have no power to block it.

That could come as early as June 24 or be delayed. Italy has asked to defer formal approval until after EU leaders meet in Brussels on June 28-29, calling for the summit conclusions to say they would "debate" their stance on Russia in October.

Sooner or later, diplomats in Brussels said, the rollover of the sanctions would eventually win formal approval.

The German foreign minister and the Italian prime minister have been leading a growing chorus of politicians pushing for sanctions relief. More senior EU politicians also travel to Russia now after a period of relative isolation over Ukraine.

The EU's foreign policy chief signaled a review of the bloc's strategy on Russia and the conflict in Ukraine in the second half of the year and Donald Tusk - who chairs meetings of EU leaders - plans to dedicate a session to that in October.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said in Moscow on June 21 that Sigmar Gabriel, the head of the junior partner in German Chancellor Angela Merkel's coalition, could visit next week.

"He has already been to Moscow, he's already had meetings with President (Vladimir) Putin that focused precisely on trade and economic cooperation between Russia and Germany... There are things to talk about," Peskov told reporters.