MOSCOW (AP) — Russia promised Tuesday to assist efforts by Ukraine’s president-elect if he moves to negotiate a peaceful end to the unrest in eastern Ukraine, but strongly warned him against trying to score a quick military victory against the rebels.

Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov urged an end to fighting in eastern Ukraine, where government forces fought insurgents Monday over Ukraine’s second-largest airport in Donetsk, using jets and helicopter gunships. Dozens were reported killed.

Recommended Stories

Pro-Russia separatists vow to keep up the fight

Zelensky vows not to give up territory to end war

Putin calls for Ukrainian military coup against ‘neo-Nazis’ and ‘drug addicts’ in government