EU foreign ministers formally agreed Monday to prolong to January 2016 damaging economic sanctions against Russia to ensure it fully implements the Ukraine peace accords, officials said.

"EU has extended economic sanctions against Russia until 31 January 2016, with a view to ­complete implementation of (the) Minsk agreement," an EU spokeswoman said in a tweeted message.

The 28-nation bloc initially only imposed travel bans and asset freezes against Russian and Ukrainian figures for their part in the crisis but reacted sharply after Malaysia Airlines flight MH17 was shot down in July over territory held by the alleged pro-Moscow rebels.

Brussels hit Russia's banking, oil and defense sectors hard and, along with the US, has warned more sanctions could follow unless Moscow lives up to its Minsk commitments in February to withdraw support for the rebels and use its influence with them to implement the accord.

In March, EU leaders agreed in principle to roll the sanctions over by linking them directly to the cease-fire brokered by France and Germany in Minsk that runs to December this year.

The cease-fire has largely held since then, but Kiev and the rebels swap charges daily over breaches and observers reported a sharp pick up in fighting earlier this month in a conflict which has so far claimed more than 6,400 lives.

The foreign ministers of France, Germany, Ukraine and Russia are due to meet in Paris on Tuesday to review the situation.

Russia's foreign ministry on Monday expressed disappointment at the extension by the EU of biting sanctions, blaming the move on an anti-Russian "lobby."

The ministry said it was "absurd" for the EU to "place all responsibility" for implementation of the peace agreements on Moscow.