A resolution to the Ukraine crisis can only emerge when all aspirations are respected

Former Prime Minister Alfred Sant told the European Parliament that a resolution for the Ukrainian crisis can only emerge when there is a long term plan under international law and an agreement across the board to respect the legitimate aspirations of all sides involved, especially including the Ukrainian communities of east and west. Dr. Sant said that this should take into full account the historical realities and contemporary interdependencies that define the European space.

The European Parliament discussed the report ‘State of EU-Russia relations’. Dr. 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.’ Said Dr. Sant.

 

Maltese Version – ‘FTEHIM FL-UKRAINA JINTLAĦAQ BISS JEKK L-ASPIRAZZJONIJIET TA’ KULĦADD IKUNU IRRISPETTATI’

Alfred Sant qal lill-Parlament Ewropew li ftehim dwar il-kriżi fl-Ukraina jista’ jintlaħaq biss jekk ikun hemm pjan fit-tul imsejjes fuq il-liġijiet internazzjonali u bi ftehim li jirrispetta l-aspirazzjonijiet tal-partijiet kollha kkonċernati, speċjalment dawk tal-komunitajiet Ukreni tal-Lvant u tal-Punent. Dan għandu jseħħ fid-dawl tar-realtajiet storiċi u interdipendenzi kontemporanji li jiddefinixxu l-ispazju ewropew. Dr. Sant qal dan waqt li l-Parlament Ewropew iddiskuta r-rapport ‘L-Istat tar-Relazzjonijiet bejn l-UE u r-Russja’.

‘ll-kwistjoni tal-Ukraina qed twassal għal konfrontazzjoni bejn l-UE bis-‘soft power’ tagħha u bejn ir-Russja permezz tal-preżenza militari. Huwa l-poplu Ukren li bata l-aktar b’din il-kriżi. Ma nistax inkun fiduċjuż fuq il-kriżi tal-Ukraina jekk nisma’ biss il-verżjoni ta’ naħa waħda jew tan-naħa l-oħra biss. Lanqas ma jista’ jkolli fiduċja fuq il-proposti li qed isiru dwar l-organizzazzjoni tal-ispazju ewropew tal-futur.

‘Hemm żewġ fatturi li wasslu għas-sitwazzjoni tal-lum: In-nuqqas ta’ fiduċja bejn iż-żewġ partijiet u l-fatt li l-logħba ta’ poter bejniethom twalet b’mod li ntilef kull kontroll. Il-partijiet kollha involuti mhumiex jaġixxu b’mod ġenwin. Dan wassal biex l-Ukraina, diġa’ miżgħuda b’għira kumplessa bejn kommunitajiet li ġġebbdet fit-tul wisq, issa hija imkissra bi gwerra ċivili.’ Qal Dr. Sant.