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Lukashenka calls for «a strong and united» Ukraine

Alyaksandr Lukashenka called for "a strong and united Ukraine" while meeting with Ukrainian Ambassador Mykhailo Yezhel in Minsk on May 15, BelaPAN said.

The Belarusian leader expressed hope that Ukraine's political turmoil would end soon and the country would remain a united state, according to the presidential press office.

He noted that he was against the presence of foreign troops from whichever side in Ukraine and raised objections to Ukraine's possible accession to NATO.

"Ukraine is a self-sufficient country, and if it is helped rather than hindered, it will be a very powerful country," he was quoted as saying. "Well, maybe someone doesn’t want it to be strong and powerful, but this is not my stance or the stance of the Belarusian people. We want to see a strong Ukraine with which we can cooperate, trade, like we did in recent years."

Mr. Lukashenka said that the Ukrainian people and authorities could not reproach him for his public remarks about the situation in the country. "We tried to take a careful, balanced stance but, nevertheless, said openly that Ukraine is very close to me personally and to our state," he stressed.

Referring to his March 29 meeting with Ukraine's acting President Oleksandr Turchynov, Mr. Lukashenka said that he had provided answers to many "confidential" questions and reassured Mr. Turchynov over his concerns.

Mr. Lukashenka said that he adhered firmly to the agreements reached with Mr. Turchynov at the meeting. "You can expect only a good attitude toward Ukraine and the entire Ukrainian people on the part of Belarus," he promised. "If you need any help, as a person who takes everything happening in Ukraine to heart I am ready to provide this support and help at any moment."

However, Mr. Lukashenka reiterated that he would not agree to take the role of intermediary between Kyiv and Moscow.

Mr. Yezhel, for his part, thanked Mr. Lukashenka for his "consistent and honest stance." "In the situation that Ukraine has found itself in now every kind word is good support," he said.

Many of the remarks made by Mr. Lukashenka in an interview with a Ukrainian TV channel in March drew broad support from the Ukrainian public, said the ambassador.

The meeting between Messrs. Lukashenka and Turchynov made it clear that the Belarusians and Ukrainians remained brotherly nations, Mr. Yezhel stressed.