The Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) on Monday called for peaceful solutions to the crisis in eastern Ukraine through dialogue and negotiations.

"I urge all parties to move away from confrontation," OSCE Chairman Didier Burkhalter told reporters here.

Burkhalter said the Ukrainian government and the international community should unite their efforts to find a political solution to the ongoing crisis in the east of the country.

To de-escalate the situation, Kiev should promote a nationwide dialogue on the crisis inside Ukraine, he added.

He also expressed his hope that the talks involving Ukraine, Russia, the United States and the European Union due to be held on Thursday in Geneva would be an effective mechanism to ease tensions and bring stability to Ukraine.

Tensions in eastern Ukraine escalated on Sunday following the armed confrontation between Ukrainian security forces and pro-Moscow protesters who seized government buildings in several cities, demanding a referendum on autonomy and closer ties with Russia.

Earlier in the day, acting President Oleksandr Turchynov said the government was considering a nationwide referendum on Ukraine's statehood and political system in May.