Ukraine is ready to observe the Minsk agreements and a ceasefire, but it can defend its territory if it has to, Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko said.

"We are ready to stop firing. We are ready to implement the Minsk agreements. If our proposal is ignored, our armed forces are capable of protecting Ukrainian territory, which we have demonstrated over the past two weeks," Poroshenko said at a news briefing in Kharkiv on Tuesday.

The trilateral contact group has worked out a road map for implementing the Minsk agreements, and an immediate and controllable ceasefire is step number one in this plan, he said.

Ukraine is fully committed to the unconditional observance of the Minsk agreements, Poroshenko said.

"I have talked with French President Francois Hollande, German Chancellor Angela Merkel, and Russian President Vladimir Putin, and I have said clearly that Ukraine is firmly committed to the unconditional observance of the Minsk agreements, which contain absolutely clear requirements concerning an immediate ceasefire, the immediate release of all hostages, including Nadiya Savchenko, the immediate blockage of the borders, the withdrawal of all foreign troops and mercenaries, and the need for a political settlement, including through local elections in line with Ukrainian law," he said.

A strong position is a precondition of successful negotiations, Poroshenko said, adding that he favored a peaceful settlement of the situation in eastern Ukraine.

"I have said repeatedly that I am a president of peace, not a president of war," Poroshenko said.

Ukraine used the period during which so-called artillery silence was observed to improve its defense capability, he said.

"In the time that passed, we managed to set up reliable defense lines and the first reserve line. The Ukrainian servicemen have received restored, repaired and new military hardware, and our army today is absolutely different compared to what it was in May or June," he said.

Poroshenko made a working trip around the Kharkiv region on Tuesday.