EU agrees to extend Russia sanctions until mid-2017 - diplomats

1: Russian President Vladimir Putin is the most powerful person in the world right now, according to the latest ranking from Forbes. REUTERS/Sergei Karpukhin

BRUSSELS (Reuters) - European Union leaders agreed on Thursday to extend economic sanctions against Russia over the turmoil in Ukraine until mid-2017, though some wanted a longer timespan over fear U.S. President-elect Donald Trump would ease pressure on Moscow.

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.