(VOVworld) - Russia has called on countries to increase pressure to stop the Ukrainian government’s attacks in the Donbass region. 

Ukrainian tanks in Avdeyevka, eastern Ukraine (Source: TASS)

Russian Presidential Spokesman, Dmitry Peskov, told reporters on Friday that it’s important to persuade and force Kiev to give up actions that could undermine the Minsk agreements, adding that Russia will take political and diplomatic measures to achieve this goal. The conflict in Donbass has caused hundreds of casualties, including civilians. The United Nations has expressed grave concerns over the escalating conflict and condemned the use of weapons prohibited by the Minsk agreements. The contact group established to resolve the conflict has held an urgent meeting in Minsk to call for a cease-fire before Sunday.