Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko believes sanctions against Russia should be stepped up after it recognized documents of certain areas of Donetsk and Luhansk regions beyond Kyiv control.

"From the point of view of international law this is an element of recognition of these illegal units and the de facto refusal from the Minsk process, because those steps are not compatible with the implementation of the Minsk agreements. We believe that this is an extremely disturbing phenomenon and it requires decisive actions up to strengthening the sanctions," the presidential press service quoted Poroshenko as saying at a meeting in Kyiv with European Commissioner for Humanitarian Affairs Christos Stylianides.

The press service said that Poroshenko informed the European commissioner about constant violations of the Minsk agreements in Donbas. "We observe not only ceasefire violations, but also an utterly cynical decision to recognize the fake documents of the fake republics," he said.

Stylianides, in turn, said that the European Union continues to support Ukraine and make diplomatic efforts aimed at Russia's complete implementation of the Minsk agreements, which are based on absolute respect to Ukraine's sovereignty, territorial integrity and independence.