France calls for political solution in Ukraine

French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius on Saturday called for a political solution to the ongoing tension in Ukraine, the Crimea as the epicenter.

“France is deeply concerned by reports of the Crimea, which demonstrate significant movements of the armed forces,” Fabius said in a statement.

“We urge all parties to refrain from actions that could raise tensions and affect the territorial integrity of Ukraine,” a French diplomat said.

In order to achieve a political solution to the crisis in Ukraine, Paris was “in close negotiation with the authorities of Ukraine and Russia, and our main partners,” added Fabius.