Opinions & Interviews

BREST, 22 January (BelTA) - The Minsk platform is very instrumental in facilitating a peaceful settlement in the south-east of Ukraine, Ukraine’s Consul General to Brest Oleg Mysik told reporters, BelTA has learned.

"At every meeting I say that we are grateful to Belarus for the opportunity given to our state and other representatives of the Normandy Four to meet in Minsk. Meetings of the working groups are held almost every week. This is the factor that we cannot fail to mention. For us it is a great help. Belarus’ efforts pursue a peacemaking goal,” said Oleg Mysik.

The Consul General emphasized that the efficiency of the negotiating process depends on the efforts of all parties. There are many factors that influence it. “The process is progressing. The process has been effective as the ceasefire mostly holds. There is shelling, but people do not die. The process of exchange of prisoners has been completed on both sides. The most important thing for us now is to take control over the border. More than 400km of it is not controlled. This is the main thing. After this other steps can be taken: decentralization, elections in Donetsk and Lugansk oblasts,” the diplomat added.

He also welcomed Russian politician Boris Gryzlov joining the talks. “Gryzlov is a big-time politician, with a wealth of experience and knowledge, a politician who can reach a compromise. I think these changes will bring results, too,” stressed Oleg Mysik.

According to the Consul General, such conflicts cannot be settled quickly. “Any wars are over some day. The question is: why all this happened. For the sake of what?” he said.

According to the Belarusian migration service, over 100,000 Ukrainians have entered Belarus since the military conflict broke out. About 27,000 of them moved to Brest and Grodno Oblasts.

On 22 January flowers were laid to the monument of Taras Shevchenko in Brest to mark Ukraine’s Unity Day. Partaking in the event were representatives of the Ukrainian scientific and pedagogical union Bereginya.