EU hopes to avoid Ukraine war with talks, sanctions threat

European Union leaders are looking to avoid a Russian military invasion into neighboring Ukraine with a threat of unprecedented sanctions and the promise of diplomatic talks

BRUSSELS -- A summit of European Union leaders on Thursday will focus on avoiding a Russian military invasion into neighboring Ukraine with threats of unprecedented sanctions for Moscow and the promise of diplomatic talks.

The Russian military buildup on Ukraine's border is taking center stage at the summit of the EU's 27 leaders, with a plea from Ukraine's president to start imposing more sanctions before any possible incursion rather than after the border has been crossed.

Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda said the EU shouldn't underestimate the threat, even beyond Ukraine, which he says is creating the worst security situation since the collapse of the Soviet Union.

“Probably we face most dangerous situation in the last 30 years. I’m talking not only about Ukraine," Nauseda said, stressing that NATO's eastern flank and the Baltic region should also be concerned.