President of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko is confident that a UN-mandated multinational peacekeeping operation with the only clear goal to restore Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity could be a decisive factor in ending sufferings of Ukrainian people.

"I am confident, a UN-mandated multinational peacekeeping operation with the only clear goal to restore Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity could be a decisive factor in ending sufferings [from Russian aggression] of Ukrainian people. We believe that there is no better way but dispatching such an operation, under the robust UN mandate," the president of Ukraine noted.

Poroshenko expressed gratitude to Germany, France and the U.S. "for mobilizing international support of this initiative."

"One reason for that is that the Kremlin is afraid. It is afraid that the peacekeepers will see Russian military manpower and military assets all over the occupied territory. They are also afraid of losing control over Ukraine border with Russia – a hostage taken by Kremlin to keep infiltrating its military in Donbas," Poroshenko said.

The head of the Ukrainian state reminded that he had applied to the UN with a request to deploy peacekeeping forces in the occupied Donbas, but his request was not granted.

He noted that according to a conservative estimate by the UN, the number of conflict-related casualties in Ukraine currently stands at over 35,000, including more than 10,000 people killed and almost 25,000 injured. The number of internally displaced persons is well over 1.5 million. "It could look like yet another dry statistic, which this Organization is full of, but for me and Ukrainians these are scars on the very heart," the president said.

Poroshenko noted that UN peacekeeping activities badly need to be reformed, like the entire UN system, and should become more qualitative and effective. According to the president, Ukraine is ready to help in this matter.