Opinions & Interviews

MINSK, 26 August (BelTA) – Ukrainian President Piotr Poroshenko hopes that the first meeting in Minsk will result in the peace agreement. The Ukrainian President made this statement as he met with Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko in Minsk, BelTA has learned.

"I sincerely hope that today's meeting, I believe it will not be the only one but the first one, will help us reach an agreement that will bring peace to Ukraine. I think it will be a landmark event in the bilateral relations as well,” said Piotr Poroshenko.

According to the Ukrainian leader, there are no serious problems in relations between the two Presidents and the two states. All arising problems are solved.

Piotr Poroshenko took note of the important role that Alexander Lukashenko and Belarus are beginning to play in the peaceful settlement of the situation in Ukraine.

The Ukrainian leader stressed that the goal of today's meeting is to discuss the issues related to the Ukraine-EU free trade area and the trade and economic relations of Ukraine with the Customs Union. "However, the main thing which Ukraine is seeking today is peace. The peace that will stop the suffering of people. We understand that besides trade, economy and energy the key issue on the agenda of the Minsk meeting will be peace. I think it is not by chance that we have managed to put together such a unique format for negotiations. This includes the high representatives of the European Union, and leaders of the Customs Union who could discuss the undisputed benefits of building such a model," he said.

The President added: "It is no coincidence that all this is happening in Belarus. I am very pleased that Minsk is hosting these negotiations. This underlines the importance of Belarus.”