European Union flags. (Photo: CGTN)

European Union ambassadors on Wednesday approved sanctions on Russia, according to Reuters citing an unnamed diplomatic source.

The sanctions still need formal approval by the foreign ministers, something that will be handled in written procedure by 1400 GMT.

The sanctions will enter into force once they are published in the EU's official journal, a step expected later on Wednesday.

Meanwhile, the EU sanctions are planning to include Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu and Russia's Internet Research Agency, according to a report from the Wall Street Journal.