EU Eyes More Russia Sanctions, Denies Ukraine Quick Membership

(L-R) European Council President Charles Michel, French President Emmanuel Macron, and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen react as they hold a press conference following an EU leaders summit to discuss the fallout of Russia's invasion in Ukraine, at the Palace of Versailles, near Paris, on March 11, 2022. Ludovic Marin/AFP via Getty Images

VERSAILLES, France—The European Union is ready to impose even harsher economic sanctions on Russia and might give Ukraine more funds for arms to fight Moscow’s invasion, leaders decided in two days of talks in France, but drew a line on allowing Kyiv rapid access to the bloc.

Ukraine, a former Soviet republic that has sought to join the EU and NATO, has called for fast-track accession to the EU since the Feb. 24 invasion.