MINSK, 22 August (BelTA) – I am not seeking to organize negotiations on the settlement of the conflict in Ukraine in Minsk by any means. However, if the parties agree and wish to hold them here, the Belarusian side will do everything necessary to host them, Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko told journalists in Minsk on 22 August, BelTA has learned.
According to the president, negotiations between Russia and Ukraine are “virtually on the table”, as diplomats say. “But you hear the statements. Putin says: ‘Yes, we agree, we stated long ago what we want’. Vladimir Zelensky has one thing to say today, another tomorrow and so on, just like Donald Trump: he makes contradictory statements. Russians see this and wonder whether President Zelensky is ready for negotiations or not. They believe he is not ready,” he remarked.
However, one should not focus solely on the public statements of the Ukrainian side, Aleksandr Lukashenko is convinced. They could be what is called a “smoke screen”, behind which lies the real, behind-the-scenes, closed part of the process. In particular, there is information that Zelensky is ready for a territorial swap. The United States also holds the view that Ukraine must take this step, otherwise it may cease to exist. Without the U.S. funding and weapons, continuing the confrontation is impossible.
However, one should not focus solely on the public statements of the Ukrainian side, Aleksandr Lukashenko is convinced. They could be what is called a “smoke screen”, behind which lies the real, behind-the-scenes, closed part of the process. In particular, there is information that Zelensky is ready for a territorial swap. The United States also holds the view that Ukraine must take this step, otherwise it may cease to exist. Without the U.S. funding and weapons, continuing the confrontation is impossible.
Journalists asked the president whether the Belarusian side would be willing to host the negotiations between Vladimir Putin and Vladimir Zelensky if they do take place. Aleksandr Lukashenko stated that he is not driven by this idea to host them in Minsk by any means, although it would be an ideal location for them. However, if the Russian and Ukrainian sides agree and decide to come here, Belarus will organize everything at the proper level even as early as tomorrow. “If they want it, if they agree... This is an ideal location for Ukraine and Russia. As for Donald, he doesn’t care where to fly to, Europe or Alaska. It’s still eight or nine hours either way," the head of state remarked.
However, Vladimir Zelensky previously called Minsk an allegedly unacceptable venue because, at the time, following the meeting of the Normandy Format in 2015, they failed to establish a lasting peace. “They have some kind of phobia regarding Minsk, especially Vladimir Zelensky,” the president noted. He pointed out that European politicians later admitted themselves that they had come to Minsk not to establish peace, but to buy Ukraine time to rearm. Therefore, there is no reason now to blame the Belarusian side.
“I do not suffer from that disease -the need to 'show off' or 'this is very important for my image.' Yes, it is important. Perhaps we will survive and manage without it. I truly am not obsessed with this idea: 'come to Minsk' and so on. If they decide to come, we can organize it as early as tomorrow,” the president emphasized. “I once said: it is not important where: either the Moon, on Mars, wherever. What is important is that they get together and make a decision.”
However, Vladimir Zelensky previously called Minsk an allegedly unacceptable venue because, at the time, following the meeting of the Normandy Format in 2015, they failed to establish a lasting peace. “They have some kind of phobia regarding Minsk, especially Vladimir Zelensky,” the president noted. He pointed out that European politicians later admitted themselves that they had come to Minsk not to establish peace, but to buy Ukraine time to rearm. Therefore, there is no reason now to blame the Belarusian side.
“I do not suffer from that disease -the need to 'show off' or 'this is very important for my image.' Yes, it is important. Perhaps we will survive and manage without it. I truly am not obsessed with this idea: 'come to Minsk' and so on. If they decide to come, we can organize it as early as tomorrow,” the president emphasized. “I once said: it is not important where: either the Moon, on Mars, wherever. What is important is that they get together and make a decision.”
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