Merkel says sanctions against Russia over Ukraine must be extended

French President Francois Hollande and German Chancellor Angela Merkel make a statement to the media at the Chancellery in Berlin, Germany, December 13, 2016. REUTERS/Fabrizio Bensch

BERLIN (Reuters) - The leaders of France and Germany, speaking two days before an EU summit which will discuss the conflict in eastern Ukraine, said they want to extend sanctions against Russia due to a lack of progress in implementing a ceasefire deal.

The conflict between Ukrainian forces and Russian-backed separatists has claimed nearly 10,000 lives since it erupted in 2014. Germany and France have tried to convince both sides to implement a peace deal agreed in Minsk last year but with little success so far.