Belarus on Monday expressed the most sincere and deep condolences to the families of the victims of deadly rocket attacks on the government-held port city of Mariupol in eastern Ukraine.

"Belarus was deeply saddened by the recent tragic events in Ukraine relating to the deaths of civilians in Mapiupol on Jan. 24, 2015. We extend deep condolences to the victims' relatives and beloved ones," the Foreign Ministry said.

As the situation in eastern Ukraine continues to worsen, there is a need for an immediate ceasefire, the ministry said.

"We back the wish of the trilateral contact group to hold direct negotiations between all participants who signed the documents in Minsk as soon as possible," it said.

On Saturday, Mariupol, a city on the Sea of Azov with a population of 500,000, came under shelling of rocket fire, which hit an open-air market and nearby homes and shops and caused heavy casualties.

European Union foreign ministers will meet in Brussels this week to discuss the new outbreak of fighting and the attacks by separatists on Mariupol, which Kiev said left 30 civilians dead. Endite

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