The Kremlin has pointed out that Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko did not discuss a ceasefire in Donbas but instead focused on measures to promote that ceasefire.

"This is not the question of a ceasefire agreement. This is the question of the presidents discussing concrete steps to promote a ceasefire between the militia and the Ukrainian forces in the southeast of the country," Kremlin press secretary Dmitry Peskov said in an interview with Kommersant FM.

Russian officials have repeatedly noted that Russia is not a side to the Ukrainian conflict and agreements should be reached between the Ukrainian authorities and the militia.