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Lukashenko: Belarus will interact with any Ukrainian government supported by people

MINSK, 23 March (BelTA) – Belarus will build up relations with that government of Ukraine that will be supported by Ukrainian people, Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko told reporters on 23 March, BelTA has learnt.

Speaking about his attitude to the people who came to power in Ukraine, Alexander Lukashenko noted that there are different people among them; some of them are professionals, some are simply loudmouths, just like everywhere; and this is particularly true if a government is formed in the course of rallies and coups. “Therefore, my attitude to them varies,” the President said.  
 
Alexander Lukashenko noted that some of the so-called politicians that are now in the government or close to it in Ukraine call themselves successors of Bandera, UNA-UNSO, the Ukrainian Insurgent Army, i.e. organizations of Ukrainian nationalists. Several thousand militants from these organizations also acted on the territory of Belarus during the Great Patriotic War. “You know what they did here. I will give you just one example – Khatyn. It was not discussed and studied during the times of the USSR, but later we found out that the abhorrent things that happened in Khatyn and other places were done by representatives of these insurgent organizations that had been set up in Ukraine. They burnt a lot of our people, including people living in Khatyn,” the head of state said.

“If the people who came to power in Ukraine relate themselves to these subhumans, what kind of attitude are we supposed to have towards them?” Alexander Lukashenko said.

At the same time, the head of state underlined that there are also good people, professionals, and businessmen in the new government of Ukraine. “I like these people, but I do not like the others. No matter what my attitude towards them is, we need to build up relations with them, of course, if they stay in power, if they continue their political career – and this will be determined by the forthcoming presidential election and, I hope, the parliamentary elections in Ukraine. We will cooperate with those who will be supported by people,” Alexander Lukashenko said.

According to the President, this position was prompted by objective reasons. Ukraine is a neighboring state and the two countries cooperate closely in various fields. “We can relate to the overwhelming majority of the Ukrainian people; they are the same as we are,” the head of state said.

Alexander Lukashenko told reporters about his military service in the border troops on the territory of Western Ukraine. “This was the first time I met the so-called westerners in Ukraine. I met more of them when I worked in the agricultural sector. I would never say that these people are different from us. These are very hardworking, honest and kind-hearted people. Politicians are to blame for the partition of Ukraine,” the President said.

“Maybe, this partition is only in their heads. Using mass media, they try to get through their message that Ukraine is divided into the western and eastern parts. There are wonderful people in the both parts of Ukraine. There are also enough renegades and dishonest people everywhere,” the Belarusian leader added.

“We are destined to live together; We will, no matter if we want it or not, build up relations with the government that will be chosen by the Ukrainian people. I have already said that we have never interrupted and will not interrupt our relations with Ukraine,” the Belarusian President concluded.

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