The European Union has extended sanctions against Russia because of the stalled peace process in Ukraine.

EU Council President Donald Tusk said at Thursday's summit of the 28 EU leaders that they were "united on the roll-over of economic sanctions on Russia."

The EU has been largely unsuccessful with its efforts to push Russian President Vladimir Putin into making sure pro-Russian separatists in eastern Ukraine end the conflict there.

The sanctions are just one part of a raft of measures the EU has imposed on Russia for its role in the conflict in Ukraine and misuse of Ukrainian state funds.