Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko has said that the conflict in the east of Ukraine cannot be resolved by military means.

"Only through a political settlement we can return those territories where there is and there can be no military solution to the problem," he said in an address released by his press service on Saturday.

"Can Donetsk be taken by storming so as not to destroy it? It is a city strange to [Russian President Vladimir] Putin. And for me it's our native, Ukrainian [city], and my compatriots taken hostage live there. Therefore, no criticism - no matter how acute and painful it is – will stop me from finding a peaceful way out of the current situation," reads the address.

Poroshenko also noted that he had not forgotten about strengthening the army.

"The decision to cease fire, first and foremost, benefited our defense capability. We took a breath, healed the wounds, pulled human reserves, delivered weapons and equipment, and set up fortifications. All four armored plants are operating for the anti-terrorist operation in three shifts. And today we are much stronger than one-and-a-half months ago," he said.

"Peace is our most important goal. Our valiant soldiers liberated a greater part of Donbas from terrorists - and elections will also be held there tomorrow... We are building our new Ukrainian home on a solid foundation of European values and patriotic enthusiasm of all the people. Vote for Ukraine – united, single, indivisible and European!" he said.