Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko has met with key ministers and members of the country’s Defence Council to discuss a peace plan for the ongoing crisis.

On Monday he called for a truce in the combat-ridden east of Ukraine and said he had set government forces the task of taking back full control of the border with Russia this week.

“Active strengthening of the combat capabilities of the Ukrainian armed forces will be a key element of my presidential policy,” Poroshenko announced. “And I hope, after this meeting, we can guarantee secure borders, including the frontier shared with the Russian Federation.”

The president said he is planning to initiate a temporary ceasefire once the Russian border is secure, to set the ball rolling towards the successful implementation of a peace plan.

Both Kyiv and the West have accused Russia of arming the rebels in eastern Ukraine. Moscow denies the allegations.