Opinions & Interviews

MINSK, 29 December (BelTA) – It is vital that the conflict in Ukraine ends as soon as possible. Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko made the statement on 29 December, BelTA has learned.

Speaking about development prospects of Belarus’ foreign policy in 2018 and about a number of planned foreign visits, Alexander Lukashenko noted that those are not the most important thing for him. “Honestly speaking from my heart, I would very much like the war in the brotherly country of Ukraine to end. I would like people there to live normal lives. It is the most important problem for me,” he stressed.

The president noted that Ukraine and Ukrainians are near and dear for Belarus. “It is a very hardworking nation, which I’ve studied well and have known since I was young — I happened to be in the active military service in the Western Border District. I came to know the so-called western Ukrainians very well. Those are very hardworking and decent people you just have to know how to talk to,” said the head of state.

“We are not just neighbors. We are family, we are brothers. We take Ukrainian matters to heart. It is the key area where we should exercise maximum effort in order to localize the problem,” believes the Belarusian leader.

Alexander Lukashenko went on saying that if the conflict grows larger, many will be affected.