KIEV, May 7 -- Ukrainian Acting President Alexandr Turchynov held talks here Wednesday with Jeffrey Feltman, the U.N. Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs, centering on the political issues and security situation in Ukraine.

The talks focused on the ongoing violence in the eastern part of the country and the upcoming presidential elections scheduled for May 25, the parliament's press service said in a statement.

Noting that the security situation in eastern Ukraine remains tough, Turchynov accused Russia of "fomenting the unrest in the Lugansk and Donetsk regions with propaganda."

"Aggression towards our two eastern regions continues. Residents of these areas are under the influence of Russian propaganda," Turchynov was quoted as saying.

Claiming that pro-Russian activists are using Ukrainians from the embattled regions as a "human shield," Turchynov said that the government launched its military operation against the rebels to "avoid civilian casualties."

Turchynov pledged to intensify efforts to find a means to de-escalate the situation ahead of the presidential election and voiced his hope that tensions would ease after the voting.

For his part, Feltman said the U.N. supports the government in Kiev and stands ready to assist with a resolution to the tense situation in the East European country.