Opinions & Interviews
Ukrainian MP: Nothing can cause a rift between Ukrainians and Belarusians
MINSK, 20 April (BelTA) – The peoples of Ukraine and Belarus are of the same kin, nothing can break them apart, no matter what happens and whoever is in power, member of Ukraine’s Verkhovna Rada Evgeny Shevchenko said as he met with Belarus President Aleksandr Lukashenko, BelTA has learned.
First of all the Ukrainian politician thanked the Belarusian head of state for the opportunity to meet. “It is a great honor for me, even from the point of view of diplomacy: when a country’s leader meets with an ordinary parliamentarian, it is a very significant event for the latter,” he said.
“But you are no ordinary MP,” Aleksandr Lukashenko responded. “You are an advocate of our relations. We saw this. You were not afraid to go against the tide, because you believed that the Belarus-Ukraine relations would last forever,” the president added.
According to the Ukrainian MP, the peoples of Belarus and Ukraine are experiencing something similar to what happened in Kievan Rus. “There was fragmentation and external interference, and we, the fraternal peoples, were divided. Then we lost our statehood and were under the yoke of other states, and so on,” Evgeny Shevchenko said.
At the same time, he noted that he does not seek to make statements on behalf of the entire Ukrainian people, but expresses the point of view of a significant part of them.
“I believe that Ukraine and Belarus are two closest nations. No matter who is in power, no matter what happens, these peoples will never get estranged. Many might argue that the things I am saying do not resonate with all Ukrainians. But I know (and opinion polls prove this) that Ukrainians, in the sense of a political nation, not only ethnic Ukrainians, but all ethnicities who live in Ukraine, love Belarus and Belarusian people. Deep in their heart they resist what is happening, even those who cannot say it aloud,” he said.
“I just voice the opinion of these people. I am not saying that this is a majority or a minority, but they are many. Opinion polls show that today 36% of Ukrainians would like to see you as the president of Ukraine. It’s for a reason. This is sociology, this is science. Therefore, it is unacceptable to make such statements as some of our politicians do,” the MP is sure.
He also explained why he speaks up and pushes for closer relations between Belarus and Ukraine. “This is dangerous and unwelcome. I will go back, and certain mass media will drag me through the mud. However, people should see someone who is not afraid, who takes the lead and shows another way. These narratives, constant information pressure in Ukraine make people simply lose faith and hope for pragmatism and common sense. All policies aimed at destroying economic, friendly ties with neighbors will never bring anything good. I personally believe that we should use diplomacy to build relations with everyone around us,” the Ukrainian MP concluded.
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