(VOVworld) - The EU failed to allay Russia's concerns about Ukraine's free-trade accord with the EU during a tripartite negotiation in Brussels on Monday.

European Union Commissioner for Trade Cecilia Malmstrom holds a press conference after a meeting on the implementation of the Ukraine-European Union Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Agreement | AFP/Getty

EU Commissioner for Trade Cecilia Malmstrom said the three sides failed to reach a deal and there will be no tripartite negotiation like this in the future. Malmstrom blamed Russia for not showing enough flexibility. The talks failed after the EU renewed its economic sanctions against Russia for another six months after they expire in January, 2016. The sanctions target Russia's financial, energy, and defense sectors. The EU Council said the sanctions will be extended until July 31 while it assesses Russia’s compliance with the Minsk peace agreement.

The Russian Foreign Ministry said the extension will encourage Kiev to violate the Minsk deal, adding that for the EU to link its sanctions to the conflict in southeast Ukraine is artificial and baseless.