You're reading: Rompuy says main parties in Ukrainian crisis need to negotiate to achieve agreement akin to ‘Oslo Accords 1993’

Brussels - Ukrainian crisis, starting with the events in Crimea, is the most serious geopolitical crisis in Europe since the end of the Cold War, President of the European Council Herman Van Rompuy said in Paris on Tuesday.

 Even worse, it’s coming to a war on the continent that might become the most lethal since the Balkan wars; the one, who violates borders, violates peace, Rompuy said during his speech at Sciences Po.

He noted that European countries had managed to stand together to support Ukraine against Russia despite differences connected to energy interests, geographical situation and historical experience.

According to him, it’s an indication of overall determination and understanding of general strategic interests, as well as a culture of compromise in a union, as European leaders understand they can’t act on their own.

What’s important today is the following. Since the ceasefire agreement on September 5, nearly 1,000 people have died. I don’t call it a ceasefire anymore. Future ceasefires will meet the same fate, if we are limited to an on-site management of the situation. A global decision is needed. A way for Ukraine to become decentralized (or federalized) and inclusive country must be found. Ukraine should find its place in Europe, Rompuy said.

According to him, Ukraine must come closer to Europe, as this is what the majority of Ukrainians want, however, reasonable relations with Russia should be established as well. Ukraine’s borders, sovereignty and territorial integrity need to be respected, but so is the case with the minorities.

Rompuy believes that reaching an agreement akin to ‘Oslo Accords 1993’ through negotiations with all the main parties in the crisis is what must be done, as such a dialogue requires political trust, which is extremely needed at the moment.

With such a global approach, Europe will do its job, as Russian-EU relations are a part of the set of issues to be solved, Rompuy explained.

Rompuy assured that his successor (Donald Tusk), who’s to come into office on Dec. 1, is aware of the situation.