(VOVworld) – De-escalating the violence in eastern Ukraine is the top priority of the Kiev government at present, said Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko at an emergency meeting Sunday with Ukraine’s National Security and Defense Council.

Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko speaks at a meeting of Ukraine’s National Security and Defense Council on Sunday. (Photo: ITAR-TASS)

He said Kiev is consistent about reviving the shattered peace deal reached in September, calling it the only way out of the current conflict. The Ukrainian Army is building up troops in the east, however, to enable “an adequate response” to any militia advance, the Defense Ministry stated.