Ukraine will return Crimea and Donbas through political and diplomatic means because it cares about its citizens living there, Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko has said.

"I would like separately greet them on the Independence Day, as it is very important for Ukrainian patriots in the annexed Crimea and in the occupied Donbas. My dear, we love you, you are on our minds and we are fighting for your return to Ukraine. I underline: we are doing this through political and diplomatic means, because we care about you," Poroshenko said during the military parade in Kyiv on Wednesday on the occasion of the 25th anniversary of the declaration of Ukraine's independence.

"The Kremlin perceives the Ukrainian land as a war theatre, and the residents of the region as cannon fodder to satisfy its imperial ambitions. We see you as one of us, our kin, our friends temporarily alienated from your Ukrainian family. This family will certainly reunite and gather together at a festive table," the Ukrainian president said.