Events

15 Apr 2019

Belarus ready to increase its role in resolving Ukrainian conflict

MINSK, 15 April (BelTA) – Belarus is ready to increase its role in resolving the conflict in Ukraine if corresponding agreements are reached between the leaders of Russia and Ukraine, Belarus President Aleksandr Lukashenko said in an interview with Turkey’s news agency Anadolu, BelTA informs.

The head of state stressed that the Belarusian side is doing its best to contribute to the resolution of the conflict in Ukraine where people, who are so close for Belarusians, are still dying. These issues were discussed at the recent meeting of Aleksandr Lukashenko with Martin Sajdik, a special representative of the OSCE in the trilateral contact group.

“Perhaps, I should not have said that, however, seeing this sluggish and inefficient process, seeing that the Minsk agreements are not fulfilled, I said openly: if the presidents of Russia and Ukraine, Putin and Poroshenko, come to an agreement, if they accept the enhancement of Belarus’ role (because Russia, Belarus and Ukraine are sister nations), we are ready to play this role. But we will never impose ourselves as peacemakers or mediators. We do not need it, it is not an option for us,” the president said.

“We all know that when I talk about Ukraine, they reproach me in Russia and Ukraine. Some people do not like certain things. Therefore, I told those gentlemen to arrange things, and if they see us in that arrangement we will try to play our role. The priority is to ensure peace and stability in Donbass and Lugansk, in the entire Ukraine,” Aleksandr Lukashenko said.

According to the head of state, the conflict in Ukraine still has a dangerous influence on Belarus. “Many people attempt to carry weapons through the border, some Belarusians went there and took part in warfare there. This is a very dangerous trend,” he explained. “Well, Ukraine is a neighboring country. Belarusian people and I are involved in this conflict, no matter if I want it or not, no matter if Belarusian people want it or not.”

“We have done everything and will do everything to restore peace there because elderly people, women and children, all those who did not manage to flee and stayed there, are dying. And they are not aliens to us. The war is literally behind our fence. Therefore, I agreed that Minsk hosts this trilateral contact group, and now we are doing our best to support and facilitate its work. I have recently met with the head of this group, OSCE’s special representative Sajdik. And he told me that they did not have any problems, that they were only grateful for the effort,” the president remarked.