Ukraine's requests for a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin have gone unanswered.

Ukraine leaders are looking to discuss with Putin the recent buildup of Russia troops across its border and the escalating tensions in eastern Ukraine.

Iuliia Mendel, a representative from the office of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, said the country had submitted a formal request for talks with Putin March 26 - the same day four Ukrainian soldiers were killed in a mortar attack.

"The Kremlin, of course, has the request to talk to Vladimir Putin. We haven't received a response so far and very much hope that it's not a refusal of dialogue," Mendel said.

Russia has denied that it received such a request. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Tuesday that his office has not received any communication from the Ukraine government "in recent days." The Kremlin has maintained that it has the right to deploy its troops wherever it wants within its own territory. The country repeatedly denied that it is looking for war.

Mendel said Zelenskyy is set to travel to Paris soon to meet up with French President Emmanuel Macron to discuss the Russian military buildup. Mendel said at least 41,000 are now stationed along its border with eastern Ukraine and more than 42,000 are stationed near Crimea. Mendel said the number is expected to grow in the coming days as troops "keep arriving."

Since the start of the month, Russia has reportedly sent additional troops along its border with Ukraine, sparking concerns from several Ukrainian officials that have accused the country of violating its cease-fire agreement.

After Russia annexed Ukraine's Crimean Peninsula in 2014, Russia-backed separatists and Ukrainian forces have been locked in a conflict that has resulted in the deaths of more than 14,000 people from both sides. All efforts to negotiate a political settlement have failed.

Ukraine said it is receiving reports of military wounded and dead on a daily basis over the past few weeks. Rebel forces have also reported wounded and dead. On Tuesday, Ukraine's military reported another casualty - bringing the total to 28 this year.

The Group of Seven and ministers of member countries have called on Russia to halt its military buildup. The group said it was "deeply concerned" by the buildup of military forces that is destabilizing and threatening the region.