French President Francois Hollande voiced "deep concern" about Ukraine's situation on Tuesday, when he met here NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen.
In a communique released by the French president's office Elysee after the meeting, Hollande "expressed his deep concern about the current situation in Ukraine and the need to avoid any direct or indirect action that may fuel tensions."
Ukraine has in crisis as pro-Russia activists seized several government buildings in eastern Ukraine Sunday, demanding closer ties with Moscow and a referendum to give more powers to local authorities.
The new development came after Crimea left Ukraine to join Russia last month.
Hollande also reiterated Paris' commitment to collective defense within the framework of NATO and its full solidarity with its allies, adding that the European Union and NATO should forge better cooperation to face the challenges of collective defense.
Hollande and Rasmussen also discussed recent developments in Afghanistan, adding that the NATO summit would be an opportunity to evaluate NATO's forces deployed in Kabul and to outline prospects for post-2014.