You're reading: Schultz: Ukrainian conflict can’t be solved without Russia

There is no military solution to the Ukrainian crisis, European Parliament President Martin Schultz has stated, adding there will be no political solution without Russia.

“I believe we have to face some facts. First, there is no military solution to the crisis. All sides are well advised to restrain themselves and abstain from warmongering and inflammatory rhetoric,” he said at the 11th meeting of the Yalta European Strategy (YES) conference in Kyiv on Sept. 12.

“Thus, all parties and the international community must do everything in their power to prevent the situation from spiraling completely out of control. There is only one solution and that is a political solution in full respect of Ukraine’s territorial integrity and sovereignty,” Schultz continued.

“Second, like it or not, there will be no political solution without Russia,” the European Parliament president emphasized, adding, “We have no choice but to keep on talking to Russia.”

Schultz condemned the actions of Russia related to the escalation of conflict in Ukraine and those taken, in his words, on territories of EU member countries.

“Let me add, Russia also has to stop its continuous provocations, attempts at intimidation, incursions and violations of the territorial integrity of EU countries. One of the most recent examples is the abduction of Estonian security official Kohver on EU territory,” Schultz emphasized.