Chairman of the Munich Security Conference (MSC) Wolfgang Ischinger

I am impressed with the stance and proposals of Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko on the settlement of the conflict in Ukraine, Chairman of the Munich Security Conference (MSC) Wolfgang Ischinger said at a press conference in Minsk on 1 November.

"I was deeply impressed by the commitment and aspiration to resolve the conflict, which was expressed by President Alexander Lukashenko during the yesterday’s meeting. I was impressed by the attitude and desire to resolve the situation in the east of Ukraine as soon as possible, to achieve peace there. I hope that interesting proposals which the president put forward, including the mission in the east of Ukraine, will be taken into account. I was most impressed by Belarus’ readiness to provide its resources for such a mission in eastern Ukraine,” the MSC chairman said.

Talking to the media, Wolfgang Ischinger stated that in fact there is not any significant progress in the efforts being invested either within the Minsk negotiating process or the Normandy Four talks. Commenting on proposals to change the format, the MSC chairman stressed that progress will take place only when there is a corresponding political will from the parties involved.