Opinions & Interviews

MINSK, 27 June (BelTA) – Belarus is greatly concerned about events going on in Ukraine and is in favor of getting the conflict resolved as soon as possible. Belarusian Foreign Minister Vladimir Makei made the statement in his interview with the news agency Prensa Latina and the Cuban television, the press service of the Belarusian Foreign Ministry told BelTA.

Vladimir Makei pointed out that events in Ukraine affect national interests of Belarus since Ukraine is Belarus’ second most important trade and economic partner in the post-Soviet space after Russia while Belarus-Ukraine trade in previous years had stayed at $8 billion, with Belarus securing a foreign trade surplus. Apart from that, Belarus’ border with Ukraine is 1,100km long. “Therefore, we take the news of what is going on in Ukraine with much concern,” stressed the Minister.

“It seems to us that a smoothly coordinated campaign is in progress to start a quarrel among the brotherly Slavonic nations,” believes Vladimir Makei.

He mentioned an increase in instability and danger in the region due to Ukrainian events. “The NATO forces in the countries Belarus borders with are getting reinforced. A huge amount of weapons has gone missing from Ukrainian arsenals. Ukraine is having a very hard time economy-wise. Therefore, certainly, we cannot but be concerned about what is going on in Ukraine now,” said the Belarusian Foreign Minister.

“If they fail to take all the necessary measures to arrange a dialogue, start negotiations, get all the conflicting parties engaged and tell them to secure peace and accord on unity principles instead of disunity ones, then I fear we may return to the worst times of the Cold War, we may see the emergence of new dividing lines in Europe, we may see large countries threatening and blackmailing other large countries,” believes Vladimir Makei.

“Therefore, our view, the view of Belarus has always been simple: we are in favor of a dialogue, in favor of getting the conflict resolved as soon as possible. But to accomplish that, all the sides involved in the process have to be ready for it,” stressed the Belarusian Foreign Minister.