YEREVAN, 23 November (BelTA) – It is important to stop the bloodshed in Ukraine and start peace talks, Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko said at a session of the CSTO Collective Security Council in Yerevan, Armenia on 23 November, BelTA has learned.
In his speech, Aleksandr Lukashenko also touched upon the conflict in Ukraine. "Belarus has continuously and persistently warned about the dangerous escalation of the military and political situation in the European region. We pointed to the degradation of the international security system and devaluation of disarmament and arms control agreements. Unfortunately, they did not heed our warnings then. Now we see the tragic result of this arrogant position in Ukraine," the Belarusian leader said.
The president recalled that since 2014, Belarus has been doing everything possible to end this conflict.
"Western countries have accused us of all mortal sins. They are trying very hard to draw Belarus into the conflict, although they themselves are ‘up to their neck' in it. Thousands of Ukrainian soldiers are being trained at their training grounds under NATO programs. Kiev is provided with Western weapons and military hardware,” the Belarusian leader said. “What is it if not direct involvement in the conflict? How to understand the NATO secretary general who said that Russia's victory would mean NATO's defeat?"
He compared the events in Ukraine with a tornado gaining strength, which draws an increasing number of countries into its funnel and creates new problems. "We need to stop the bloodshed and start peace negotiations. The question is, will Ukraine be allowed to sit down at the negotiating table?" the head of state said.
