MINSK, 26 January (BelTA) — The border between Belarus and Ukraine is closed, but we maintain certain contacts, Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko told the media on 26 January, BelTA has learned.
“We have no information regarding the willingness on that side to open the border. I offer them to do so very often,” the head of state stressed.
Aleksandr Lukashenko pointed out that Belarus maintains certain contacts with Ukraine. According to him, in particular, Belarus assists Russia and Ukraine in exchange of prisoners of war.
“We help to exchange hundreds of people. Ukraine and Russia have no contact. Russia and Ukraine bring prisoners of war or dead and we transport them to their countries,” the president said. “We conduct exchanges and dialogue in a humane manner. But the border is mined and barricaded. This contact with Ukrainians is mainly near Gomel.”
Moreover, Belarus admits a large number of refugees from Ukraine, Aleksandr Lukashenko said. But the border remains closed.
According to the resident, last year alone, almost 300,000 Ukrainians arrived in Belarus. “I did not believe when they reported these figures to me. I said: 'Guys, please double-check this, maybe you have made a mistake’. A total of 300,000 people came to us, to the aggressor. We are helping them,” the head of state emphasized.
Some Ukrainians further go to Poland, some to Russia, and some stay in Belarus. “Here is a house for you. Here is a tractor, combine harvester, factory… Go and work. We have free education, healthcare, kindergarten and many other things for your children. This is how we treat Ukrainians who come to live here. All of them,” the Belarusian leader said.
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