The Minister for Foreign Affairs, Charlie Flanagan, says Europe is considering further sanctions against Russia over its involvement in the Ukraine crisis.
Mr Flanagan will attend a Foreign Affairs Council meeting in Brussels today where the bloody conflict will be on the agenda.
The Ukrainian President has agreed to meet the Russian President in two days' time for talks aimed at ending the violence.
Both countries are expected to consider a peace plan put forward by France and Germany.
Minister Flanagan says the EU is taking a two-pronged approach to the situation.
He expects the EU to expand the list of people and entities which have been subject to sanctions, asset freezes and visa bans.
In the meantime diplomatic efforts will continue.