“The government and parliament are ready to introduce martial law throughout Ukraine,” Poroshenko told a cabinet meeting ahead of peace talks in Minsk.

“I will not hesitate with this decision, if the actions of the aggressor lead to further escalation.”

Poroshenko said the Minsk summit was “the most important meeting” of his presidency.

“The summit’s outcome will decide whether we can stop the aggression through diplomatic channels or if we switch to a completely different mode.”