UN chief urges immediate talks on Ukraine crisis

Ban Ki-moon has had high-level contacts with the main parties involved as well as all those with interest

United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon is strongly urging an immediate resumption of "constructive dialogue" among all parties to resolve the crisis in Ukraine.

UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric said yesterday that Ban has intensified his diplomatic efforts and has had high-level contacts with the main parties involved as well as "all those with interest."

Dujarric says the UN chief has been watching the latest developments, including Sunday's referendum on Crimea and Russia's announcement that it is annexing the strategic peninsula, "with mounting concern."

The spokesman reiterated Ban's call on all parties to avoid "hasty actions" and intensify efforts to solve the crisis based on the UN Charter's principles of respect for sovereignty, territorial integrity and unity.

General Assembly President John Ashe sent invitations yesterday to UN members to attend a plenary meeting at Ukraine's request on Thursday, but his office later sent out an announcement that the meeting has been postponed "until further notice.