MINSK, 8 October (BelTA) - Russian Ambassador to Belarus Dmitry Mezentsev welcomed Belarus' initiative to adopt a declaration on non-deployment in Europe as a positive factor as he talked to the media on the sidelines of the Minsk Dialogue Forum in the Belarusian capital on 8 October, BelTA has learned.
Dmitry Mezentsev commented on Belarus' initiative to adopt a multilateral political declaration of responsible countries on the non-deployment of medium- and shorter-range missiles in Europe. “Everything that is being done in support of reducing confrontation, tension in the military sphere is a positive factor," he stressed.
Alexey Pushkov, chairman of the interim commission on information policy and media interaction at the Federation Council of the Russian Federal Assembly, also supported the idea of a moratorium on missile deployment in Europe, recalling that Nato rejected it. He also commented on the Belarusian leader's suggestion to involve the United States in the settlement of the Ukrainian crisis. “The participation of a major power like the United States could bring some positive sway,” Alexey Pushkov said. At the same time, he recalled that the U.S. is mostly withdrawing from international agreements, citing the nuclear deal with Iran as an example.
The participants of the conference noted that Minsk has hosted many talks on the complex issues of the international agenda. The current conference is no exception. “No one is interested in military conflicts. Everyone wants to impose their will, but no one wants to make big sacrifices. Let us hope that common sense prevails. Such conferences are one of the ways to strengthen it," Alexey Pushkov added.
