The United States supports the deployment of the UN peacekeeping mission throughout the occupied territory, including the Ukrainian-Russian border, and the granting of a broad mandate to them, U.S. State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert said.

"However, I want to make it clear that such peacekeeping forces should have a broad mandate to maintain peace and security throughout the occupied territory of Ukraine, up to the border with Russia, including the border, in order to avoid deepening or consolidating the split within Ukraine," Nauert said a briefing in Washington.

According to her, the United States unambiguously considers the UN peacekeeping mission as a means of protecting the citizens of Ukraine regardless of their nationality.

"Our goal is simple. We want to restore the territorial integrity of Ukraine, as well as protect the Ukrainian regardless of their religious, ethnicity or language," the State Department representative said.

In addition, Nauert noted the unwillingness of the Russian Federation to participate in improving the security situation in the occupied Donbas.

"We have repeatedly called on Russia to ensure a real and lasting ceasefire. We would like both sides ... to take heavy weapons and ensure full, unhindered and safe access for international observers," Nauert said.