Ukraine has said it is purchasing unmanned drone aircraft from Poland, as the Ukrainian PM warns the West against prematurely lift sanctions against Russia.

Ukraine intends to buy Polish drones: photo: PAP / Marcin Bielecki

Speaking at the 11th Arms and Security exhibition in Kiev, Ukrainian chairman of parliament Oleksandr Turchynov said that the government is buying drone aircraft from Poland to assist 'anti-terrorist' operations in rebel-held areas of eastern Ukraine.

“It's very important to us, and our Polish colleagues want to supply these products to Ukraine," Oleksandr Turchynov is quoted by Interfax as saying.

The Polish unmanned aircraft are able to lift up to 15 kilograms of cargo, including arms, he said, and would be used immediately in battle zones.

Meanwhile, Ukrainian prime minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk has told the UN General Assembly that despite a ceasefire had been agreed on 5 September, with a buffer zone of 30km between Ukrainian forces and separatist fighters, it was too early to consider dropping sanctions against Russia.

Ukrainian Prime Minister, Arseniy Yatsenyuk speaks during the general debate of the 69th session of the United Nations General Assembly at United Nations headquarters in New York, New York, USA, 24 September: photo - EPA/JASON SZENES

Earlier, US President Barack Obama said sanctions could be lifted if Russia supported a ceasefire.

"We ask our partners not to lift sanctions until Ukraine takes control of its entire territory. Crimea was, is and will be a part of Ukraine," Yatsenyuk said, demanding all Ukrainian territory before the outbreak of hostilities be returned. (pg)