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German FM sees no military resolution of conflict in Ukraine

Xinhua, March 24, 2015 Adjust font size:

The crisis in eastern Ukraine doesn't, and moreover can't, have a military solution, announced German Foreign Affairs Minister at a press conference here on Monday.

Frank-Walter Steinmeier made the announcement after attending a meeting of foreign affairs ministers of Visegrad Four countries, which consist of the Czech Repulic, Hungary, Poland and Slovakia, in the Slovak capital.

"While not perfect, the recent agreement struck in Minsk vis-a-vis Ukraine is an opportunity for further progress," said Steinmaier, urging compliance with the ceasefire and delivering on political tasks contained in the Minsk agreement.

Fellow officials present at the meeting in Bratislava voiced their appreciation for Germany's role in seeking a diplomatic resolution to the crisis.

"A path to peace in Ukraine doesn't lead through lists of sanctions, but through peace talks; by which I don't mean to question the EU's moves, however. A peaceful resolution of the conflict is a priority for us, which means full support for Germany's and France's efforts for a full implementation of the agreements from Minsk," said Slovak Foreign and European Affairs Minister Miroslav Lajcak.

Czech Foreign Affairs Minister, Lubomir Zaoralek, pointed to a number of challenges still lying ahead for the EU vis-a-vis Ukraine. His Hungarian counterpart Peter Szijjarto stressed that only a peaceful resolution was acceptable. Endit