European Union foreign ministers said on Monday there were no grounds to lift economic sanctions against Russiadespite conciliatory proposals from the EU's foreign policy chief, as violence intensified in Ukraine.

Federica Mogherini had suggested in a confidential memo seen by Reuters that EU governments could start talking to Russia again about global diplomacy, trade and other issues if Moscow implemented the Minsk peace agreement to end the separatist conflict.

"In light of the current events in eastern Ukraine, no one had the idea of loosening the sanctions," German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier told reporters after talks among EU ministers.

With attempts to restart peace talks stalled, rebels have stepped up attacks in the past week. Fighting raged around Donetsk airport on Monday.

Mogherini's proposals were met with suspicion by some EU countries that feared they would send the message to Russian President Vladimir Putin the EU's resolve was weakening.

"I don't think that we now should think how to re-engage. Russia should think how to re-engage," Lithuanian Foreign Minister Linas Linkevicius told reporters.

Mogherini denied the EU was contemplating any U-turn in its policy towards Russia.