MINSK, 14 March (BelTA) – Some different logic is behind Ukraine's unwillingness to open humanitarian corridors in the direction of Belarus and Russia. Belarusian Minister of Foreign Affairs Vladimir Makei made the relevant statement in an interview with China's Central Television, BelTA has learned.
The Belarusian Ministry of Foreign Affairs quoted Vladimir Makei as saying: “I cannot confirm whether this mass media report is true or not. I can only quote a consul of the Ukrainian embassy in Belarus. After we summoned him to the Belarusian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, he told us that Ukraine will not open any humanitarian corridors in the direction of Belarus and Russia. Certainly, we took it under advisement. But we absolutely cannot comprehend the logic of Ukrainian leaders. Belarus' border is 100-200km away while Ukraine's western border with the European Union is about 2,000-3,000km away. If you are concerned with saving human lives, you have to make the smartest decision in this situation and open humanitarian corridors in the shortest direction. Some other logic probably dominates here.”
Vladimir Makei thinks Russian and Ukrainian negotiators also pay close attention to the matter. Preserving civilians' lives and doing everything to prevent people from getting fired on is what matters. “We are ready to assist both sides with it,” he stressed.
