France and Germany have threatened Russia with further sanctions if Ukraine's presidential election on 25 May fails to go ahead.
President Francois Hollande and German Chancellor Angela Merkel said in a statement they feared further destabilisation of Ukraine.
They also said referendums planned by pro-Russian separatists in eastern Ukraine for Sunday would be illegal.
They called for a visible reduction in Russian forces on the Ukrainian border.
Russia is estimated by Nato to have some 40,000 troops near the border, though Moscow says they have been pulled back.
The statement was issued after the two leaders met in Chancellor Merkel's constituency in Germany.
"If there is not an internationally recognised presidential election, that would lead unavoidably to a further destabilisation of the country," it said.
"Germany and France are in agreement that if that is the case, then corresponding consequences would be drawn as outlined by the European Council on March 6, 2014."
Correspondents take this to mean economic sanctions against Russia already authorised by European leaders in March.
Both the European Union and the United States have already imposed sanctions targeting officials and companies linked to Russian President Vladimir Putin.
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Richard Galpin spent some of the day in Mariupol
But the joint statement also called on the Ukrainian government to refrain from military action before the 25 May poll, except "proportionate" operations to protect people or property.
All sides, supervised by the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), should start disarming irregular forces by 15 May at the latest and halt acts of violence, the statement went on.
TenseUkraine is currently engaged in an "anti-terror" operation to disarm pro-Russian separatists in the east and remove them from buildings they are occupying in at least a dozen towns and cities.
At least seven people were killed and 39 injured in clashes between the two sides in the south-eastern port of Mariupol on Friday, according to official figures.
- 21 Nov 2013: President Viktor Yanukovych abandons an EU deal
- Dec: Pro-EU protesters occupy Kiev city hall and Independence Square
- 22 Feb: Mr Yanukovych flees; parliament votes to remove him and calls election
- 27-28 Feb: Pro-Russian gunmen seize key buildings in Crimean capital Simferopol
- 6 Mar: Crimea's parliament asks to join Russia and sets referendum for 16 March
- 16 Mar: Crimeans vote to join Russia, according to Moscow
- 21 Mar: President Putin signs annexation law
The government said there was a gun battle when pro-Russian activists tried to storm a police HQ, but some local witnesses accused the security forces of opening fire on unarmed protesters.
In Donetsk, the Red Cross said nine of its workers, there to evaluate the needs of the local population, were briefly detained by separatists. Reports suggest they were let go once those holding them had established they were not spies.
Victory DayFriday saw no sign that tensions between the West and Russia over Ukraine might diminish.
President Putin flew to Crimea as part of ceremonies marking Victory Day - the Soviet Union's defeat of Nazi Germany. Crimea was annexed by Russia in March after a referendum described by the West as a sham.
Washington described his trip as provocative and unnecessary.
Sunday's referendums are due to take place in the Donetsk and Lugansk regions, despite Mr Putin urging the pro-separatist organisers to postpone them.
Voters are to be asked if they support the creation of a "People's Republic" in eastern Ukraine, something the West fears would open the door to the region joining Russia.
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