Kazakhstan's president says the conflict in eastern Ukraine is "nonsense" and is calling on Russia and Ukraine to find a way to resolve it, according to the Associated Press.

Nursultan Nazarbayev's comments on Monday, Dec 22, after a meeting with Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko, could carry weight because Kazakhstan is part of a Russia-dominated trade bloc that Moscow sees as a counterweight to the European Union, the AP says.

Nazarbayev did not single out one side as being in fault in the conflict between Ukrainian forces and pro-Russian armed groups that has killed around 4,700 people. Moscow denies allegations that it is providing soldiers and equipment for the militias.

"I call on Russia and Ukraine to think about finding compromise," he said, quoted by Interfax news agency. "This situation is nonsense and should not be taking place."