BRUSSELS, June 21. /TASS/. The EU Permanent Representatives Committee (COREPER) "agreed extension of economic sanctions against Russia for six months," a European diplomatic source said on Tuesday. The decision still has to be approved by the EU Council, the source added.

"We may confirm COREPER agreed extension of economic sanctions against Russia due to destabilization of situation in Ukraine by 6 months until January 31, 2017, so that to assess performance of Minsk Agreements in future," the diplomat said.

"This decision should be approved by the EU Council [at the ministerial level", the diplomat said. "We cannot indicate the specific date, when the decision will be approved by the Council. It should be made by the end of July in technical terms," the source said.

Currently effective sectoral sanctions of the EU against leading Russian oil, defense and financial state-owned companies will expire on July 31, 2016.