Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko sees as his priority the release of all hostages in the eastern regions of Ukraine, presidential press secretary Sviatoslav Tseholko has said.

"Friends, a priority for the president is the release of all hostages, including servicemen, civil servants and journalists. The president is demanding this every day and is doing all for that," Tseholko wrote on his page on Facebook on Tuesday.

Poroshenko said at a PACE session on June 26 that members of illegal armed groups in east Ukraine were holding 174 hostages.