Opinions & Interviews

MINSK, 26 August (BelTA) – I hope that Russia and Ukraine will come to an accommodation at the talks in Minsk, Kazakhstan President Nursultan Nazarbayev said as he met with Ukrainian President Piotr Poroshenko on 26 August, BelTA has learned.

“The main thing is that you talk with Vladimir Putin one on one. The moment of truth is approaching both Russia and Ukraine. This bloodshed must be stopped,” the President of Kazakhstan said.

Nursultan Nazarbayev expressed hope that the talks in Minsk would be successful and the parties would reach a compromise. In his words, if the situation does not change, it can lead to even more serious clashes. The President of Kazakhstan is confident that common ground should be found in order to stop the war. “It hurts to see this big and rich country in such a plight,” he said.

Nursultan Nazarbayev emphasized that Kazakhstan is ready to provide humanitarian assistance to Ukraine.

Ukrainian President Piotr Poroshenko said he has big hopes on the Minsk talks. In his words, the parties will also discuss cooperation between Ukraine and the Customs Union and ways to lift trade obstacles and expand the trade.