France threatens Russia with EU sanctions over Ukraine

French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius Wednesday warned Russia of rapid European sanctions if attempts to reach a diplomatic solution to end Ukraine's crisis failed.

Speaking to the news channel BFMTV, Fabius stated that European leaders could impose, during a crisis meeting on Ukraine Thursday, sanctions on Moscow that include restrictions on visas, the assets of individuals and existing discussions on economic ties with Russia, Xinhua reported.

"Let's start to initiate the path of dialogue but at the same time tomorrow there is an EU summit and sanctions could be voted tomorrow if there is no de-escalation," the French minister said.

"I expect and hope that Russia will today tell us that there is a prospect for dialogue with a contact group," he added.

At the sidelines of a meeting on Lebanon in Paris, Fabius will meet later in the day Russian, US and Ukrainian counterparts for a new round of talks aimed at ending the political upheaval in Kiev.