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Opinions & Interviews

13 Apr 2014

Lukashenko: Federalization will break Ukraine apart

Lukashenko: Federalization will break Ukraine apart

MINSK, 13 April (BelTA) – Federalization will lead to the disintegration and dissolution of Ukraine, Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko said in his interview to the NTV television channel of Russia, BelTA has learnt.

“If they want to maintain the integrity of Ukraine (and I want Ukraine to stay united, I really want it), they should not allow federalization. It will mean that tomorrow Ukraine will fall apart and collapse,” Alexander Lukashenko said.

“It sounds good today; it seems that the interests of some regions will be protected. What about tomorrow? Tomorrow the major players will try to take advantage of this federalization. Those in Kharkiv or Luhansk will feel like they are as big as the President in Kyiv… Somebody will capitalize on it. This will lead to the collapse of Ukraine. Everyone: you and me and people over there (in Ukraine – BelTA’s note), and Americans who are instructing them, everybody understands it. I do not even want to dwell on it. I strongly oppose federalization, because I am in favor of a united Ukraine,” the Belarusian head of state said.

At the same time, the Belarusian President noted that federalization of Ukraine can help “prevent the developments that we and Russia fear most of all – the deployment of the NATO troops on the territory of Ukraine”. “Federalization could prevent it. However, I believe that we should play big – we should preserve the integrity of Ukraine and make sure no one will ever think that a NATO soldier can step on the Ukrainian land. It is true, the problem is quite complicated, however solutions to such issues are not on the surface, it has never been this way,” the Belarusian head of state said.

“It is very dangerous to push Ukraine towards federalization now. It is dangerous for everyone: Belarus, Russia and the West. People will never agree to that. Never ever!” the Belarusian leader emphasized.

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