Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights Nils Muiznieks has said he fears that Ukrainian citizens living in Russia-annexed Crimea and in the territories of Donetsk and Luhansk regions not controlled by the Ukrainian authorities can find themselves isolated and calls on the country's leadership to avoid such a situation.

"I am defending the position that we should prevent this [isolation of citizens] at any cost. We should avoid the isolation of the population in these territories, not only in the east of Ukraine, but also in Crimea," he told reporters in Kyiv on Monday.

He also noted that when drafting a national action plan and strategy on human rights Ukraine should not forget about its citizens in the eastern regions and in Crimea: "I think the key point is that your compatriots should not be forgotten."

"It is important to continue to try to maintain communication with that population and to express the position that you are our citizens and we will do everything possible in our power to protect your rights," he said.

"How this can be included in the human rights strategy depends on Ukraine. We can only assist in this process," Muiznieks added.