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Western nations on Tuesday pressed ahead with plans to impose sanctions on Russia, with the French foreign minister saying they could kick in within days unless Russian authorities accept a U.S. proposal for discussions to end the crisis in Ukraine.Western officials were set to meet in London Tuesday to hammer out details of the sanctions plan, which French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius said could take effect this week and would likely include the freezing of individuals' assets and the revocation of travel visas.
U.S. Secretary of State John F. Kerry has told Russian authorities that they need to halt their advance in Crimea and open a dialogue with Ukraine's new government before he will visit Moscow for talks. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on Monday that the U.S. proposal was "unsatisfactory."
More: West Presses Sanctions as Moscow Tightens Grip in Crimea, Rejects Call for Talks