Opinions & Interviews

Lukashenko: Ukraine should be united and undivided

MINSK, 26 September (BelTA) – Ukraine should be united and undivided, Belarus President Aleksandr Lukashenko said as he met with representatives of Ukrainian mass media on 26 September, BelTA has learned.

“It is unnecessary to dramatize the situation regarding Hungarians, Poles and other nations living in Ukraine. These are Ukrainian Hungarians, Ukrainian Poles. I understand it this way. I hope these Hungarians and Poles will not take these words amiss. This is a sacred thing for me: Ukraine should be united and undivided,” the head of state stressed. “On this platform, in hot UN days or without them, we will build relations with our neighbors, first of all, with our Ukraine.”

The president cited Yugoslavia as an example which was divided into pieces and bombed. “Who benefits from it? It is easier to control. Just think who benefits from Ukraine not being Ukraine,” the head of state said.

He also expressed his opinion about people living in western regions of Ukraine, with whom he stayed in touch during his military service. “I got familiar with ‘hostile’ Western Ukraine. Listen, I was impressed greatly: I have never seen such honest and hard-working people. When I left military service, worked in the agricultural industry, I had very solid relations with them, I invited them to work with me.”

“Yes, they are more nationalistic. Russians are also nationalistic about their country. Are Belarusian people less nationalistic when it comes to their country?” Aleksandr Lukashenko asked a rhetorical question.

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