The German government does not support lifting the sanctions imposed against Russia over the annexation of Crimea, Deutsche Welle has reported.

German Federal Foreign Office Spokesman Martin Schäfer said in Berlin on Monday that the sanctions will definitely remain in force and could be extended.

Despite different options in assessing the conflict in Ukraine, the EU's 28 leaders are set to discuss the issue at a December 17-18 summit and will make definitive political conclusions, he said.