Fillon said a gesture from Russia would be needed before sanctions could be lifted, adding that Ukraine was also not doing what it needed to do to ensure peace, Reuters reported.
"I am convinced that the economic sanctions are totally ineffective," Fillon told reporters after meeting Merkel in Berlin. "We must find another way to talk."
"I do not want (US President Donald) Trump to talk with Russia at our expense. It would be damaging for Europe if Trump went above our heads, which is not inconceivable," he added.