Ukraine pledges to continue striving for peace in Donbas

Zelensky

KIEV, April 1 (Xinhua) -- Ukraine will continue negotiating a ceasefire and hopes to achieve peace in Donbas, a region in eastern Ukraine, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said in his official Telegram channel on Thursday.

Ukraine would like to return to a more effective ceasefire regime in Donbas and is working in this direction, Zelensky said, adding that the country will continue advocating a peaceful settlement of the conflict in Donbas although this process "is not easy."

"That is why we will not stop and would continue negotiating the ceasefire as the fastest tactical step. Our strategy is seeking peace and the return of our people and territories," Zelensky said.

The ongoing conflict in eastern Ukraine, which has claimed some 14,000 lives and left as many as 40,000 wounded, began in April 2014.