Germany says the EU is facing difficult talks on extending sanctions against Russia over the conflict in Ukraine due to the increased resistance of some member states, according to an interview released Thursday.

Steinmeier, who is to hold talks in Vilnius and Riga Thursday with Baltic partners Lithuania and Latvia focused on NATO's July summit in Warsaw, said "we are aware that resistance in the EU to extending the sanctions towards Russia has increased.

Current EU sanctions on Russia's banking, defense and energy sectors expire in July. Extending them will require a unanimous vote, and EU leaders are expected to discuss the issue next month.

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