/ News
01.04.2019

Lukashenko: Belarus is ready to do more for peace in Ukraine

MINSK (BelTA) – Belarus reaffirms its eagerness to take further efforts and support the peaceful settlement process in Ukraine, Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko said as he met with Martin Sajdik, a special representative of the OSCE chairperson-in-office in Ukraine and in the trilateral contact group, on 1 April, BelTA informs.

“I want to assure you that Belarus will always do its utmost to support the efforts of your group and you as the OSCE's special representative in Ukraine. We will do everything for it. And I know your opinion that there are no complaints against us on behalf of the OSCE,” the head of state said. “If we can do more for peace in Ukraine, we are ready to do it. I have already said it many times.”

Alexander Lukashenko remarked that he is always keeping an eye on the events and the progress in the negotiations process in Minsk. “You are aware of my attitude, the attitude of Belarusians to this conflict. We analyze everything that you are saying, all your statements (and I hear all these statements). Our points of view are almost the same,” the president said. “Just like you and me, Belarusian people want peace in Ukraine. This is our republic, we used to live in one country for a long time. Fates of many Belarusian and Ukrainian families and people are intertwined. Ukraine is not an alien country for us.”

Martin Sajdik, in turn, thanked the Belarusian side for longstanding support and assistance. At the same time, he expressed regret that the sides had not managed to reconcile the conflict yet. “Minsk as a meeting place is what we need right now. We appreciate your patience and understanding. This conflicts lasts for too long, not only for people who are suffering from it,” he said.

In a conversation with journalists Martin Sajdik mentioned the universal agreement that it is essential to settle the conflict in Ukraine as soon as possible and to put an end to the suffering of the civilian population and to stop people's deaths. “I also had an opportunity to speak about the ideas which we voiced in December 2018 regarding the joint mission of the UN and the OSCE. We also discussed that,” Martin Sajdik added.

The trilateral contact group was established on 8 June 2014. Four working subgroups (on security, political, economic and humanitarian affairs) were founded later. The Minsk Agreements were reached with the direct involvement of the trilateral contact group on 5 September 2014 and 19 September 2014 (Minsk 1). A document which envisages a set of measures to fulfill the Minsk agreements (Minsk 2) was harmonized during the Normandy Four talks (Germany, France, Russia and Ukraine) in Minsk on 12 February 2015.

International partners acknowledge a significant contribution of Belarus and Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko personally to creating conditions for the talks and stabilizing the situation in Ukraine.