KIEV, Feb. 18 (Xinhua) -- The representatives of the European Union (EU) and the U.S. Embassy in Ukraine have condemned the escalation of conflict in east Ukraine and called for a complete ceasefire, Interfax Ukraine reported on Tuesday.
The report of military escalation in Zolote area using weapons prohibited by the Minsk agreements, which led to casualties, is extremely alarming. This is completely contrary to the agreed ceasefire, which is still not fully respected, according to the EU representative on foreign affairs and security policy.
The U.S. Embassy in Ukraine also expressed its concern over the situation in east Ukraine and called for de-escalation of the conflict.
"We are deeply concerned about today's reports of an escalation of the conflict in the Donbas," wrote the embassy on its official Facebook page.
The Joint Forces Operation representatives reported that the attack on the Ukrainian position at the frontline in the Lugansk region on Tuesday early morning left one serviceman killed, three injured, and two shell-shocked.
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky said that the conflict escalation would not change the country's course towards ending the confrontation.
The ongoing conflict in east Ukraine, which has taken the lives of some 13,000 people, started in April 2014.
