EU Seeks Dialogue Before Sanctions to Ease Russia-Ukraine

European Union foreign ministers brandished the threat of sanctions on Russia for seizing swathes of Ukraine’s territory, while giving the Kremlin a chance to pull back its troops and seek a negotiated settlement.

The 28-nation EU called on President Vladimir Putin to take immediate “de-escalating steps” by ordering his Russian forces to return to permanent bases in the southern Ukrainian region of Crimea. A Russian refusal would prompt the suspension of talks to deepen trade ties and ease European travel for Russian citizens, the EU said.