(VOVworld) - The European Union on Tuesday decided to keep in place economic sanctions on Russia over the Ukrainian crisis. EU officials said it is too early to lift the sanctions despite the September 5^th cease-fire, which is viewed as a first step towards ending the 5-month conflict in eastern Ukraine. According to European Council President Herman Van Rompuy, sanctions could be amended, suspended, or even fully repealed depending on Ukraine’s security situation. However, EU diplomats said there is no reason for easing the sanctions at this stage.