German Foreign Minister says unclear if Russia sanctions will be renewed

German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier, Economy Minister Sigmar Gabriel, Chanceller Angela Merkel and Head of the Federal Chancellery Peter Altmaier (L-R) arrive for a cabinet meeting at the German government guesthouse Meseberg Palace, in Meseberg, Germany May 24, 2016. REUTERS/Hannibal Hanschke

BERLIN (Reuters) - German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier said on Tuesday it was no secret that some EU states were sceptical about extending sanctions against Russia over the Ukraine crisis and it was unclear if the 28-nation bloc would decide to renew them.

"The sanctions are there to ensure a political solution. I don't know what the European Council will decide on Russia sanctions," Steinmeier told reporters.