With Ukrainian separatists continuing their assault on strategic areas in eastern Ukraine, British Prime Minister David Cameron warned of the potential intention of pro-Russian forces to take over the southern city of Mariupol, another strategic hub for both sides. Cameron's announcement came after a British move to provide military assistance to Kiev in order to stave off further Russian-backed incursions into Ukraine. The first deployment of British troops to the country indicates that Britain favors a greater military presence while supporting the U.S. in providing lethal weaponry to the country. "People will be looking at Mariupol as the next potential flashpoint, and if that were to happen I think the argument for further action would be overwhelming," Cameron said, as reported by the British newspaper the Guardian. "I think that would be the view of countries like Poland, the Baltic states and many others."After the fall of the strategic town of Debaltseve in eastern Ukraine last week, despite the cease-fire agreement, pro-Russian rebels' advances have prompted fears that the port city of Mariupol would be the next target as Ukraine government forces allegedly built a line of defense around the major port and the industrial center against a possible rebel onslaught. The city of Mariupol, which serves as a strategic transport hub, has seen heavy shelling between Kiev forces and rebel groups. Since the first cease-fire agreement came into effect in September 5, 2014, pro-Russian separatists have continued to battle with Ukrainian government forces near the port of the city.Along with the deployment of up to 75 British military personnel to Ukraine next month to provide advice and training to government forces, Cameron also underscored the importance of the U.S. military presence in Europe in order to prevent further Russian aggression. Apart from the U.K., Poland also announced that it would help train Ukrainian military instructors. Polish Defense Minister Tomasz Siemoniak said the Polish military instructors will train their Ukrainian counterparts in bases near the Ukrainian cities of Lviv and Kiev.Lithuania called on the U.S. to supply arms to Ukraine. "The country has a right to defend itself. This is not the escalation of the conflict. On the contrary, inaction by the West will result in the early success of Russia's military scenario. We should not help them to implement this scenario," Lithuanian foreign minister Linas Linkevicius said in a meeting in Washington with the U.S. President's Chief Adviser for European Affairs Charles Kupchan, according to Ukrainian Interfax news agency. He also urged for the West to respond to the rebels' seizure of the town of Debaltseve.Regarding the U.S. lethal weapon delivery to Ukraine, a House committee introduced legislation supporting a lethal weapons transfers and military assistance to Ukraine. However, there has been no official statement made by U.S authorities as to whether the U.S. will send arms to help Ukrainian government forces. The U.S. military is currently providing only mentoring to Ukrainian forces.After the renewed cease-fire agreement took place 10 days ago, Wednesday was the first day that no deaths were reported on the front, but the relative peace was met by fresh diplomatic sparring between Washington and Moscow. The United States accused Russian President Vladimir Putin of destabilizing the country through land grabs. The cease-fire agreement negotiated in the four-power talks on February 12 includes the withdrawal of all foreign weapons and troops from Ukrainian territory and the disarmament of Russia-backed rebel groups.Despite the cease-fire and the mediating efforts by Western countries, the death toll continues to rise in eastern Ukraine. More than 5,600 people have been killed during heavy clashes between armed groups since the hostilities erupted in late March. According to U.N. figures, more than 2 million Ukrainians have been forcibly displaced due to worsening humanitarian conditions in rebel-held areas where heavy fighting has turned eastern Ukraine into a battle zone.