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Developments in eastern Ukraine

Security of civilians during army operation top priority for Kiev

Pyotr Poroshenko and Joseph Biden discussed international efforts to settle the situation in the east of the country

© ITAR-TASS/Mikhail Palinchak

KIEV, August 16 /ITAR-TASS/. The security of civilians, especially in the Donetsk and Lugansk, is “an absolute priority” during the army operation in the east of the country, Ukrainian President Pyotr Poroshenko said on Saturday.

In a telephone conversation with U.S. Vice President Joseph Biden, he said “illegal supply of heavy weapons and military hardware to the Lugansk and Donetsk regions has increased lately, which leads to further escalation of the conflict”, the presidential press service said.

Poroshenko and Biden discussed international efforts to settle the situation in the east of the country.

The Ukrainian leader expressed a conviction that his peace plan was “the only way to restore peace in Donbas and stability in Ukraine”.

Poroshenko and Biden agreed “to coordinate further actions on the international scene”.

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Eastern Ukraine

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