EU to discuss further sanctions against Russia: Merkel

German Chancellor Angela Merkel announced Thursday that the European Union will discuss further sanctions against Russia on its special summit in Brussels on Saturday, according to a statement of the German government.

"We want diplomatic solutions and we will persist in our efforts. However, we realize that things have deteriorated again in the past few days," Merkel said during a press conference, referring to the latest reports of Russian troop's incursion into Ukraine.

Merkel's words came as tensions escalated in eastern Ukraine.

Ukraine and the West on Wednesday accused Russia of launching a new incursion into Ukraine by sending its troops and hardware in the Donetsk region. Russia has denied the charges.

Earlier Thursday, Ukraine's National Security and Defense Council said "Russian troops" have captured the Ukrainian key port of Novoazovsk and several towns and villages in Donetsk region. Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko has canceled his planned visit to Turkey amid the deepening turmoil.

In a telephone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday, Merkel demanded explanation for media reports of Russian troop's presence in Ukraine, emphasizing that Russia must make its contribution for a de-escalation of the crisis in Ukraine, according to German government spokesman Steffen Seibert.