Story highlights Ukraine's President says Kiev will ask Hague tribunal to investigate alleged crimes

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov blames Kiev for civilian deaths in Ukraine

Kiev and the U.S. blame pro-Russia separatists for shelling that killed civilians last week

(CNN) Kiev will ask the Hague tribunal to investigate alleged "crimes against humanity" in the conflict in eastern Ukraine, Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko announced Monday.

There has been a surge in fighting between Ukraine government forces and pro-Russian separatists in recent days. On Saturday, at least 30 civilians were killed in shelling in the southeastern city of Mariupol, while eight people died when a transit stop in the city of Donetsk was shelled Thursday. Both sides blamed the other for the deaths.

Speaking after a meeting with the European Commissioner for Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Management, Poroshenko said "the actions of Russian-backed terrorists and regular Russian troops" had caused Ukrainians to suffer.

"We are going to file a suit to the Hague tribunal, which must investigate into these crimes against humanity," Poroshenko said. "It is a test for humanity and moral dignity. Because turning a blind eye to such horrible and shameful crimes means indulging terrorists and aggressors and violating high European values for which Ukrainians are suffering and dying."

On Sunday, Ukraine's National Security and Defense Council authorized the government to initiate the Hague action , it said in a statement. It said it would ask for the Donetsk People's Republic and Luhansk People's Republic to be designated terrorist organizations.

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