A Ukrainian court has arrested for 40 days pending extradition two French citizens wanted for committing economic crimes in the European Union, Ukraine's SBU Security Service has said.

The SBU press center on Friday said that on August 15, 2017 they received information from their French colleagues about a criminal sentenced to seven years in jail for stealing EUR 200 million from European companies and banks, including state-controlled banks.

"Their group illegally transferred funds of leading French and European companies to fictitious companies," the SBU said.

The press service said SBU chief Vasyl Hrytsak met with the first secretary of the French embassy in Ukraine following the arrest of the men.