EU calls for "peaceful solution" in Ukraine crisis

BRUSSELS (Reuters) - The European Commission called on Tuesday for a "peaceful solution" to the political crisis in Ukraine over pro-Western President Viktor Yushchenko's attempt to dissolve parliament against opposition from the pro-Russian government.

"We call on all political forces involved in the current situation to look for a peaceful solution in order to defuse the current situation," a spokeswoman for the European Union executive told a news conference.

Asked whether the EU would try to intervene or mediate, she said: "We are watching the situation and of course we are concerned that there is a political crisis currently taking place but we think it can be defused internally."