Kiev, Nov 5 (IANS/EFE): Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko reaffirmed Wednesday his government's support for the Minsk agreements aimed at peacefully settling the conflict with pro-Russian separatists in the eastern region of the country.

According to a press release issued by the president's office, Poroshenko's remarks came in a telephone conversation with US Secretary of State John Kerry.

"We have spent too much effort and time to reach these agreements, and we cannot afford to discard them," Poroshenko was quoted as saying.

The head of state proposed resuming negotiations for a peaceful settlement in the so-called Geneva format (Ukraine, the US, the European Union and Russia) at the foreign ministers' level.

Poroshenko expressed his gratitude for the "unifying role" of the US in support for the integrity of Ukraine.

In particular, he stressed the importance of the US refusal to recognise elections held by the pro-Russian separatists last Sunday in the self-proclaimed republics of Donetsk and Lugansk.