EU to discuss more Russia sanctions over Azov Sea next month

FILE PHOTO: Cranes and ships are seen in the Azov Sea port of Berdyansk, Ukraine November 30, 2018. REUTERS/Gleb Garanich/File Photo

BRUSSELS (Reuters) - European Union foreign ministers will discuss in February imposing more sanctions against Russia over a stand-off with Ukraine in the Azov Sea, diplomats said.

The bloc will also issue a demarche -- a formal diplomatic protest note -- to Moscow as early as next week over Russia's continued detention of 24 Ukrainian sailors captured during the incident in November, they added.