MINSK, 7 April (BelTA) – Belarus President Aleksandr Lukashenko has made a few comments about the relocation of Russia-Ukraine peace talks from Belarus to Istanbul, BelTA has learned.
Aleksandr Lukashenko said: “Istanbul means Western pressure to discourage Ukraine from going to Belarus. They didn't need a peacemaking mission in Belarus. I've told you about their designs: they put us in the same basket together with Russia in order to deal with us at the same time. What peacemaking venue can be in [Belarus]? For instance, Istanbul, a NATO country is so much better.”
Yet the president stressed that Belarus does not insist the talks should proceed in Belarus. “Feel free to arrange these talks over there. Results are what matters. Because, let me emphasize it once again, a war means a great harm for Belarus.”
At the Security Council session Aleksandr Lukashenko also stated that Belarus should participate in the talks. “I just want to outline our today's position before you for the first time. The position has been conveyed to the minister of foreign affairs and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has been tasked with implementing it. There can be no negotiations without Belarus. Since you, primarily Western countries, got us into it, naturally Belarus' stance must be presented during these talks,” the head of state said.
Aleksandr Lukashenko continued: “We don't proceed from the fact that we've been put into the same basket together with Russia. No. We proceed from the fact that this war is just over the fence of our country. And it is most seriously affecting the situation in Belarus. This is why there can be no separate agreements behind Belarus' back.”
