Opinions & Interviews

MINSK, 8 December (BelTA) – Belarus will submit its proposals to implement the idea of making peace in Ukraine. Belarusian Minister of Foreign Affairs Vladimir Makei made the relevant statement in an interview with the TV channel Current Time, BelTA has learned.

Vladimir Makei said: “We would definitely like to get involved if it is acceptable for both sides. Moreover, I think we are also going to submit our own proposals in order to get the idea implemented. Understandably, it has to be acceptable for all sides.”

Vladimir Makei is convinced that it is a small chance for giving some impulse albeit a small one to efforts meant to reduce tensions in the region. “We should grab the chance and try to find a compromise solution,” he added.

Belarus would welcome any steps, including peacemaking ones, which would contribute to ending the conflict in the region as fast as possible. “We would not like the conflict to stay on hold — like the conflicts in Transdniestria, Nagorno-Karabakh, and some other places. It is absolutely not in our interest, not in the interest of Belarus because for us Ukraine is a trade and economic partner of huge importance. In the best years Belarus-Ukraine trade was as high as $8 billion. Today it is certainly much lower,” stated Vladimir Makei.

Vladimir Makei underlined that Belarus is totally in favor of making peace if it is acceptable for all the sides involved in the situation. The Belarusian minister of foreign affairs reminded that Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko talked about sending peacekeepers to Ukraine in an interview with Euronews back in October 2014.