European Parliament head calls on European leaders to include EU, US in contact group on Ukraine

15:56, 20.12.2014 1 min read

The Minsk agreements have not been implemented, President of the European Parliament Martin Schulz has said, speaking to the heads of state and government of the European Union at the EU summit in Brussels.

"Yet it is crucial to continue peace talks, not limiting them to the format of the Tripartite Contact Group, involving not only the Ukrainian and Russian governments, but also the EU and the US," reads a statement by the official posted on his website.

"Only a consolidated international effort at the highest level has the potential to lead to a sustainable and just solution. The European Parliament calls on you to give a strong mandate for the new High Representative to act on the Union's behalf," he said.

"Only a combination of dialogue, diplomacy and sanctions can lead to a peaceful resolution of the conflict. Admittedly, it takes patience to stay on this road. The recent days of silence brought down the hostilities, but the ceasefire has been repeatedly violated," he said.