The Ukrainian authorities are being guided with national interests in their decisions concerning the peace process in the east, Ukrainian Presidential Administration deputy head Valeriy Chaly said.

"We are now listening to any appeals, moreover by our partners - we have signed the Association Agreement and we are interacting constantly in various areas. But decisions concerning the domestic situation is our sovereign right," Chaly said in a program aired by the television channel ICTV on "Europe cannot influence our conduct; we are honoring each of our commitments," he underscored.

German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier said earlier that the Ukrainian situation could not be resolved exclusively with military methods. In his opinion, all the sides should observe the Berlin accords, i.e. carry on the dialogue at the Trilateral Contact Group and eventually reach a ceasefire agreement.