Opinions & Interviews

Lukashenko: Europe should facilitate Ukraine peace process, not hinder it

MINSK, 22 August (BelTA) – Europe should be part of the process of settling the Ukrainian conflict, not escalating it, Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko told journalists in Minsk on 22 August, BelTA has learned.

Aleksandr Lukashenko believes that if major agreements on Ukraine are reached, Europe would not be able to hinder them. “If Trump is serious about doing this [achieving peace in Ukraine], they will not be able to hinder it. They need to somehow join this [process] and play their role. Of course, they are Europeans. Of course, it is important for them what Ukraine will be like and what kind of peace there will be in Ukraine,” the Belarusian leader said.

The president also noted that it would be difficult for Europeans to join this process after the collapse of the Minsk agreements. Aleksandr Lukashenko added that the outcome also largely depends on Donald Trump’s decisions. If an agreement between Russia and Ukraine is reached with the participation of the United States, Europe will be left with two options: “They [the Europeans] will be forced to either swallow their pride or join in.”

The head of state believes that Donald Trump is angry with European leaders. At a time of the presidential election in the United States, the heads of many European states spoke out against Donald Trump. “Do they deserve this? They do. They have lost,” Aleksandr Lukashenko stated.

When discussing Europe's role, the president also raised the subject of Belarus' relations with European states. “You have often heard me say this: we should not quarrel with Poland and the Baltic countries. We need to build relations with them,” Aleksandr Lukashenko said. “And we will build relations with them. That is our goal.”

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