Tusk presses EU leaders to pledge to keep sanctions on Russia

European Council President Donald Tusk waits for the arrival of Finnish President Sauli Niinisto (unseen) in Brussels January 21, 2015. REUTERS/Francois Lenoir

ROME/BRUSSELS (Reuters) - European Council President Donald Tusk is pressing EU leaders to pledge this week to keep sanctions on Russia until a Ukraine ceasefire deal is fully in place, effectively extending sanctions until at least the end of the year.

Europe must maintain pressure on Russia with sanctions until Ukraine has full control of its borders, Tusk said in an interview with several newspapers published on Monday.