The EU has extended the economic sanctions against Russia

The European Union moved on Friday to extend economic sanctions against Russia for six more months for its annexation of Crimea and support for separatists in Ukraine, even as European leaders clashed on policy toward Russia with testy exchanges over a Russian gas pipeline project to Germany at the last scheduled summit meeting of a tumultuous year.

Europe first imposed economic sanctions on Russia in July 2014, after Russia annexed the Crimean Peninsula, and strengthened them in September 2014. They were renewed most recently in June.

The decision to continue the sanctions against Russia will now need a further endorsement by member nations by noon on Monday and should go into force shortly afterward. (MTI)