French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian has accused Russian President Vladimir Putin of trying to destroy Ukraine's statehood by invading the country.
"This is total war. Putin has decided... to take Ukraine off the map of nations," Mr Le Drian told France Inter radio on Friday local time.
He added that France was also "worried" about a possible Russian military offensive against Moldova and Georgia, two other post-Soviet states.
It came after US President Joe Biden on Thursday unveiled harsh new sanctions against Russia, imposing measures to impede its ability to do business in the world's major currencies along with sanctions against banks and state-owned enterprises.
"This is a premeditated attack," Mr Biden told reporters at the White House on Thursday, saying Russian President Vladimir Putin rejected attempts by the West to engage in dialogue and had violated international law.
"Putin is the aggressor. Putin chose this war. And now he and his country will bear the consequences."
Mr Biden said the sanctions were designed to have a long-term impact on Russia and to minimise the impact on the United States and its allies, and he said Washington was prepared to do more.
Mr Biden's announcement represented the second major tranche of sanctions against Russia since Mr Putin earlier this week declared two breakaway regions of Ukraine independent and sent troops there.
The United States had warned it would initiate waves of sanctions against Moscow if it further invaded Ukraine, and Russia's full-on military assault launched on Thursday led to the latest round of Western penalties.
Britain unveiled new measures targeting banks, members of Mr Putin's inner circle and the very wealthy who enjoy high-rolling London lifestyles. Prime Minister Boris Johnson told parliament that leaders had agreed to work together to "maximise the economic price" Mr Putin will pay.
Mr Johnson on Friday pledged "further UK support to Ukraine" in a phone call with President Volodymyr Zelensky, Downing Street said.
On Wednesday, Washington imposed sanctions on the company in charge of building Russia's Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline, and on Tuesday it sanctioned two large Russian financial institutions and Russian sovereign debt along with some members of the Russian elite and their family members.
The United States imposed the sanctions in cooperation with Western allies.
The White House has warned Americans that the conflict could lead to higher fuel prices in the United States, though it is taking measures to help soften that blow. US officials have been working with counterparts in other countries on a combined release of additional oil from global strategic crude reserves, two sources said on Thursday.
Mr Biden warned oil and gas companies not to "exploit" this moment to raise prices.
With AFP.
