EU sanctions against Russia 'may start this week'

France says European sanctions against Russia over the Ukraine crisis could come as early as this week.

French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius says the measures would involve "freezing personal assets of Russians or Ukrainians and sanctions on travel and visas."

He says the sanctions could yet be avoided if Russia accepts Western proposals aimed at ending the stand-off.

However, Russia's own Foreign Minister says the proposals, which include opening new dialogue with Ukraine, "do not suit us very much".

Sergei Lavrov says Moscow will soon unveil its own solution to the crisis.