Russia on Monday lashed out at the European Union for prolonging sanctions over the Ukraine crisis for another six months rather than choosing to cooperate over issues including the fight against terrorism.

Russia on Monday lashed out at the European Union for prolonging sanctions over the Ukraine crisis for another six months rather than choosing to cooperate over issues including the fight against terrorism.

"It is necessary to point out that instead of building constructive cooperation to counter the key challenges of our times such as international terrorism the EU in Brussels prefers to continue its short-sighted game of sanctions," Russia's foreign ministry said in a statement.

The European Union agreed Monday to prolong damaging economic sanctions against Russia for its involvement in the Ukraine crisis for another six months, a statement said.

The 28 member states took the decision because the Minsk peace accords, which Russia signed up to, would not be fully implemented by end-2015 as required, it said.

"Since the Minsk agreements will not be fully implemented by 31 December 2015, the duration of the sanctions has been prolonged whilst the Council (of member states) continues its assessment of progress in implementation," it said.