European stock markets are trading lower on Wednesday as investors took on a defensive approach ahead of the next meeting of the U.S. Federal Reserve.

Europe's leading Blue-chip index, EURO STOXX 50 fell 0.79 points or 0.02 percent to trade at 3,384.33. UK's benchmark index FTSE 100 declined 2.98 points or 0.04 percent to trade at 7,336.01.

Meanwhile, Germany's benchmark index DAX lost 8.07 points or 0.07 percent to trade at 11,958.07. French benchmark index CAC 40 declined 8.47 points or 0.17 percent to trade at 4,946.53.

On Tuesday, European stock markets closed marginally lower. Europe's leading Blue-chip index, EURO STOXX 50 fell 2.34 points or 0.07 percent to settle at 3,385.12. UK's benchmark index FTSE 100 lost 11.13 points or 0.15 percent to close at 7,338.99.