MINSK, 22 February (BelTA) – Belarus calls on the parties to the conflict in Ukraine to refrain from using force, Permanent Representative of the Republic of Belarus to the OSCE Andrei Dapkiunas said addressing a special meeting of the OSCE Permanent Council in Vienna on 21 February, BelTA has learned.
“Reports of a significant increase in armed violence in eastern Ukraine cannot but cause concern. Belarus calls on the parties to the conflict to refrain from the use of force. De-escalation, restraint and readiness for dialogue are needed. Belarus supports the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine (SMM) in its role as an impartial observer helping the parties implement ceasefire commitments and other measures stipulated by the Minsk agreements,” Andrei Dapkiunas said.
The diplomat explained how the Republic of Belarus sees the current situation in the region: “This assessment was given by the defense minister of Belarus yesterday and by the chief of the General Staff today. Numerous groupings of troops, including those of third countries, have amassed in the territory of the next-door neighbors of Belarus. The NATO Response Force is on standby to be used anytime.”
Andrei Dapkiunas noted that the countries neighboring Belarus are ‘pumped up' with the most advanced weapons in an emergency and unscheduled manner, with the priority given to modern offensive means.
“Military and transport infrastructure facilities have been upgraded. The number of exercises and operations conducted near the Union State border has increased manifold. It is obvious that their target is Russia and Belarus. Western countries reject the ‘red lines' in European security architecture drawn by Russia. These ‘red lines' are also relevant for Belarus.
According to the Belarusian diplomat, the principle of indivisibility of security that is fundamental for European security is rejected and deprived of its meaning.
