The European Union has decided to extend a first set of sanctions against Russian and pro-Russian separatist officials which were due to expire in March by six months because of the continued fighting in eastern Ukraine.

Dutch foreign minister Bert Koenders said that all EU foreign ministers agreed on the decision and called it a "strong signal toward Russia".

In March, the EU imposed the first visa bans and asset freezes against officials linked to Russia's annexation of southern Ukraine's Crimean Peninsula.

EU leaders must approve the move at a summit on February 12.

Pressure for more action has been building since last weekend's attacks on Mariupol, when rockets crashed into a densely populated eastern district, killing 30 and wounding several dozen. International observers said a preliminary assessment indicated the attack had been mounted from rebel-held areas.

Since Russia's annexation of Crimea, the EU has steadily increased restrictive measures. In July, the EU imposed economic sanctions which, combined with the drop in oil prices, have stung Moscow.

Meanwhile, Russia has extended its walkout from Europe's human rights watchdog after again losing its right to vote over the conflict in eastern Ukraine.

The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, meeting in the French city of Strasbourg, voted to renew sanctions against Russia at least until April.

Russian delegate Alexei Pushkov said that his delegation's walkout would continue for the rest of the year.

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