European leaders are considering sanctions against Russia to punish Moscow for its continued presence in Georgia and recognition of the independence of two Georgian separatist regions, the French foreign minister said Thursday.

Bernard Kouchner, whose country currently holds the rotating EU presidency, has called an emergency meeting of EU leaders on Monday to discuss the crisis.

"Sanctions are being considered and many other means as well," Kouchner said at a news conference.

"We are trying to elaborate a strong text that will show our determination not to accept [what is happening in Georgia]," he said. "Of course, there are also sanctions."

News that EU leaders were mulling sanctions drew swift reaction from Moscow, with its Russian foreign minister dismissing such talk as that of a "sick imagination."

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said that Kouchner had also recently suggested that Russia might soon attack Moldova, Ukraine and Crimea.

Putin accuses U.S. of provoking conflict

"But that is a sick imagination, and probably that applies to sanctions as well. I think it is a demonstration of complete confusion," Lavrov told reporters in Dushanbe, the Tajik capital.

Later Thursday, Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin said in a CNN interview that he suspected the U.S. of provoking the Georgia conflict to create a "competitive advantage for one of the candidates fighting for the post of U.S. president." He did not explain his comment.

White House press secretary Dana Perino called the claims "patently false."

Russia sent troops into Georgia earlier this month in response to Georgia's attempt to regain control over the breakaway South Ossetia province.

European nations and the U.S. have criticized Russia for its continued troop presence in Georgia near South Ossetia and another separatist region, Abkhazia, and recognition of the independence of the pro-Russian regions.

Medvedev fails to find support

Meanwhile, Russian President Dmitry Medvedev was in Dushanbe, trying to shore up support from China and four Central Asian leaders.

Speaking at a Shanghai Co-operation Organization summit, Medvedev laid blame on Georgia as the aggressor in the conflict and said support for Russia would serve as a "serious signal for those who are trying to justify the aggression."

But in the end, he failed to secure the necessary support, with the five countries calling instead for the Georgia conflict to be solved through dialogue.

"The SCO states express grave concern in connection with the recent tensions around the South Ossetian issue and urge the sides to solve existing problems peacefully, through dialogue, and to make efforts facilitating reconciliation and talks," a final declaration following the summit said.

The U.S. expressed satisfaction with the group's statement. "It wasn't what I would call an endorsement of Russia's recognition of Abkhazia and South Ossetia," U.S. State Department spokesman Robert Wood said in Washington.

The joint statement did, however, offer some praise of Moscow's actions in context of the ceasefire agreement signed five days after the conflict began Aug. 7.

The alliance said it supports "the active role of Russia in promoting peace and co-operation in the given region."

In a small conciliatory gesture amid increasing tensions, Russian forces turned over 12 Georgian soldiers on the border of Abkhazia. The soldiers were detained Aug. 18 in the seaport of Poti and appeared to be unharmed.

G7 nations condemn Russia's actions

Late Wednesday, Group of Seven countries — Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the U.S. and the U.K. — issued a statement condemning Russia's actions.

"Russia's decision has called into question its commitment to peace and security in the Caucasus," the statement said.

The G7 is also considering kicking Russia out of the larger Group of Eight, which would effectively disband the club of leading industrialized countries.

"[It] would be a very serious move, but it is certainly one of the things that is under consideration," CBC's David Common reported.

Western countries have repeatedly called for Russia to adhere to a French-brokered ceasefire that states both sides must withdraw troops to positions prior to Aug. 7, when fierce fighting broke out in and around the South Ossetia region.

With files from the Associated Press