News & Events in Belarus

BELOOZERSK, 14 August (BelTA) – Belarus’ President Alexander Lukashenko, Russian President Vladimir Putin and President Nursultan Nazarbayev of Kazakhstan are ready to hold a meeting with Ukrainian President Piotr Poroshenko in Minsk to discuss topical issues. Alexander Lukashenko made this statement answering a question of a BelTA journalist during his trip to the Bereza state district power plant on 14 August.

This matter is on the agenda, because there are many things the parties need to discuss, the head of state said. One of them is Ukraine’s association agreement with the European Union. “We are very concerned about it. We do not want EU products to come from Ukraine at a zero customs rate and strangle the economies of Belarus, Russia and Kazakhstan. These apprehensions are natural. Any country would not want it. Therefore, we are so much concerned about it,” Alexander Lukashenko said.

“Second, we need to discuss Russia’s decision to ban the import of some foods and the impact of this ban on the Customs Union,” the Belarusian leader said.

“I suggested inviting Piotr Poroshenko to join our discussion of these issues and issues facing Ukraine. We will discuss them if Piotr Poroshenko is willing. After all, these problems need to be discussed anyway. It is very important for Ukraine, because Russia is gradually closing its market for some products from Ukraine. The products in question are alcoholic beverages, dairy and meat products,” Alexander Lukashenko said.

He informed that he had spoken twice both with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Kazakhstan President Nursultan Nazarbayev a day before and they do not mind holding the meeting. According to Alexander Lukashenko, he had discussed the matter with Piotr Poroshenko late at night the day before yesterday.

“Nobody rejects this idea. All of them are ready to come to Minsk. Proposals were put forward to engage some other party in the talks, like the European Union or the United States, provided they are interested in stabilizing the economic, military and political situation. If so, let us meet in Minsk and discuss it. We do not reject anyone. This is a common position of the three presidents of the Eurasian Economic Union,” the Belarusian head of state said.

“I would like to emphasize that Minsk is willing to host anyone, Europeans, Americans or Africans, literally anyone, to get some traction on the situation,” Alexander Lukashenko said.

He reiterated that the three presidents of the Eurasian Economic Union share their views on the matter. Now the decision is up to Ukraine. “If it decides to discuss these issues, we will meet and discuss them. If not that’s their choice,” the Belarusian leader said.