欧盟延长并扩大对俄罗斯的相关制裁

European Union foreign ministers have agreed to extend existing sanctions against Russia until September due to the escalating fight in east Ukraine. They also agreed to list the names of additional people who could be targeted with sanctions when they meet again in February. But the move was met with opposition from Greece's new government.

European Union foreign ministers called the extraordinary meeting after dozens of Ukrainian civilians were killed in shelling by pro-Russian rebels on Saturday, shattering a five-month ceasefire.

Ministers agreed on Thursday to extend existing Russian sanctions by six months and will add more individuals to an asset freeze and travel ban list.

"We hope that this can help put pressure in particular to make positive steps and prevent negative steps that we've seen in recent days," Federica Mogherini, high rep. Of EU Foreign Affairs & Security Policy, said.

But foreign ministers fell short of unanimous agreement to new sanctions.

Greece, which holds power of veto, said it had not used that option, but opposed tougher measures.

The country's foreign minister chose not to elaborate.

"My job is to negotiate and not explain to journalists whether I am a good or bad boy," Greek foreign minister Nikos Kotzias said.

Germany also wants a go-slow approach with new sanctions, but was clearly annoyed at Greece.

"It's no secret the position of the new Greek government has not made the debate any easier," German minister for foreign affairs Frank-Walter Steinmeier said.

A sentiment shared by some EU country's growing impatient with the escalating bloodshed in Ukraine.

On the weekend the president of the European Council, Donald Tusk, hit out at what he described as "appeasement" towards Russia saying it was "time to step up policies based on cold facts, not illusions.

EU officials had already drawn up new sanctions ahead of the meeting, including new capital markets restrictions, which the ministers were expected to endorse.

In the end, the meeting proved to be further evidence that the rift between Athens and the EU institutions runs deeper than disagreements over paying back bailout loans.