Ukraine crisis resolution ‘only possible once all aspirations respected’ – Sant

Former Prime Minister Alfred Sant told the European Parliament that a resolution for the Ukrainian crisis can only emerge if there is a long term plan under international law and an agreement across the board to respect the legitimate aspirations of all sides involved.

This, Sant said, was most especially with regard to the Ukrainian communities of east and west.

“The historical realities and contemporary interdependencies that define the European space should be taken into consideration,” he said, during a discussion by the European Parliament on the ‘State of EU-Russia relations’ report.

Sant said that Ukraine has become the testing ground for a confrontation between the EU's soft power and Russia's boots on the ground. It is the Ukrainian people who have suffered most because of the crisis.

“I cannot have confidence in the version of one side or the other regarding the Ukrainian crisis, nor in the proposals that they are making regarding the future organization of the European space.

“We are facing a situation that results from a buildup of mistrust and an extended powerplay that have gone out of control. One major reason for this is that all sides involved have not been acting in good faith. The Ukraine, where complex and longstanding jealousies between communities have festered for too long, is racked by civil war.”