Russians on Monday urged the Ukrainian government to declare a ceasefire with the rebels, but Ukraine held its ground and said it will continue its fight not only against the separatists, but also against Russia.

Kiev, Moscow and the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) representatives were expected to meet on Monday. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said the meeting should focus on an "immediate and unconditional" truce.

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Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko previously announced a peace plan, but Lavrov dismissed it, saying that the demands were "unrealistic." He said the Ukrainian president is indicating that the separatists must "surrender their weapons" and risk being killed.

The foreign minister proposed that Russian and Ukrainian representatives, along with the leader of the rebel group, should sit down and discuss their options.

However, Ukrainian Minister of Defense Valeriy Heletey posted a statement on Facebook saying they are in the midst of a great war.

The defense minister added that the war is In the same intensity as that of the Second World War and he vowed to continue fighting to show their determination to succeed.

Over the past few days, there have been increasing reports that Russian troops and convoys have been advancing in eastern Ukraine. Moreover, the pro-Russian separatists reportedly broke through the Ukrainian military stronghold in the city of Mariupol.

On Monday, government troops withdrew to the Luhansk airport following a massive rebel attack. On the same day, NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen released a statement saying Russia's intervention in the Ukraine conflict is becoming overt.

Rasmussen said the alliance would have an upcoming summit in Wales, where they will devise a strategic plan to counteract Russia's aggressive moves. The summit will concur with the deadline imposed by the European Union (EU) to reveal further sanctions on Russia.

Over the weekend, the EU established its decision to intensify the sanctions imposed on Russia if it refused to withdraw its troops from Ukraine and stop its intervention in the conflict.

TagsRussia, Ukraine, rebel, Separatists, ceasefire, Truce