The U.S-led North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) expressed "serious concern" about current violence in Ukraine, warning pro-Russian rebels Wednesday against seizing more territory in the eastern part of the country.
According to Defense News, NATO’s 28 member countries voiced "their serious concern about the recent sharp escalation of violence" in a recent meeting in Brussels.
"Russia has a special responsibility to find a political solution," Carmen Romero, acting spokeswoman for NATO, emphasized in a statement Wednesday. "Any attempt by the Russian-backed separatists to take over more of Ukraine’s territory would be unacceptable to the international community."
The Ukrainian government on Monday reported that at least 10 soldiers and civilians had perished in recent fighting, representing the worst violence in over a month. The conflict between Ukrainian government soldiers and the Russia-backed rebels has resulted in at least 7,000 deaths since it began in April 2014.
Russian-backed separatists currently hold areas of the Lugansk and Donetsk regions in Ukraine and have indicated that they will continue to push westward and gain territory.
NATO on Wednesday encouraged both sides of the conflict to"de-escalate tensions and exercise restraint," emphasizing the need for a "full implementation" of the peace agreement reached in February during which Russia and Ukraine agreed to a ceasefire.
As of late last month, nearly 1,000 combatants and civilians had been killed since the ceasefire was brokered, according to data from the United Nations.
"NATO stands firm in our support for Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity," the alliance affirmed. NATO also vowed to continue to monitor the situation in the country.
Last month, Pentagon officials proposed equipping Ukraine with more powerful, longer-range radar to help the country fight back against the pro-Russian rebels, indicating the Defense Department’s desire to provide more military support to Ukraine.
The Obama White House would need to approve the proposal.