EU condemns murder of Lithuanian diplmat in E. Ukraine

BRUSSELS, Aug 23 (KUNA) -- The EU has strongly condemned the kidnapping and murder of Mykola Zelenec, Lithuania's Honorary Consul in Ukraine, by armed groups in Luhansk.
"Those responsible for this crime must be held accountable and brought to justice," said a spokesperson for EU High Representative Catherine Ashton in a statement Friday night. The death of Zelenec adds to the increasing toll of casualties in Eastern Ukraine, it noted.
"This demonstrates again the urgency to put an immediate end to the violence and the need to take steps towards de-escalation of the crisis. Now more than ever a political, sustainable solution must be found in order to prevent future senseless loss of lives," it said.
The EU also urged Russia to immediately cease its actions destabilising Ukraine and to join efforts to restore peace and security in Ukraine. (end) nk.tg