Germany proposes second meet to settle Ukraine crisis

Berlin, May 5 (IANS) German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier called for a second conference in Geneva to settle the Ukraine crisis, a media report said Monday.

"I advocate that the first meeting in Geneva now should be followed by a second meeting in Geneva, during which clear appointments will be met on how to bring this conflict to a halt and how to lead the conflict to a political solution," Xinhua quoted Steinmeier as saying.

Steinmeier said that the second meeting on Ukraine must include his US and Russian counterparts John Kerry and Sergei Lavrov, as well as the European Union (EU) foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton.

"The tragedy of Odessa must actually be a wake-up call for all of us, we must now make every effort again to come back to the Geneva agreement," Steinmeier said.

He also said it is necessary to set up local round table meetings, and to ensure that local conflicts are resolved in individual cities gradually, adding that anything else would be irresponsible because it would only mean more victims.

In addition, Steinmeier expressed his hope that the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) could play a greater role in the conflict in the future.

"It was right to rely on the OSCE as a neutral organisation in the conflict," and the organisation would be accepted by all parties, said Steinmeier.

"It was clear to me that we need to strengthen the OSCE and that we can entrust them with other tasks for the mediation in Ukraine," said Steinmeier.

"I am glad that not only OSCE inspectors got freed, but also the members of the Ukrainian armed groups," which was the largest uncertainty in the negotiations, said Steimeier.

Government troops took actions against the pro-Russian activists in eastern Ukraine with combat helicopters and armoured vehicles Sunday, after violent clashes occurred Friday between pro- and anti-government protestors in the port city of Odessa, leaving at least 43 people killed and 174 injured.