Russian President Vladimir Putin and European Council President Charles Michel discussed the situation in Ukraine over the phone on Tuesday, the Kremlin said in a statement.

The leaders exchanged views on Russia's military operation in Ukraine and measures to evacuate civilians.

Putin outlined his assessment of the ongoing negotiations between Russian and Ukrainian delegations on a possible settlement of the crisis, the statement added.

Michel said he stressed to Putin the urgent need to stop "Russia's fratricidal war against Ukraine."

"The EU is united in condemning Russia's aggression, responding with powerful sanctions and providing further support to Ukraine," he tweeted.

Following three rounds of punitive measures, the EU on Tuesday unleashed a new barrage of sanctions against Russia, including bans on Russian energy sector investments, luxury goods exports to Moscow and imports of steel products from Russia.

(With input from agencies)