Lavrov: If Lukashenko proposes mediating ceasefire in Debaltseve, militia wouldn't object
MOSCOW. Feb 18 (Interfax) - The Donbas militia would not object to Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko's proposal on brokering the withdrawal of Ukrainian troops from Debaltseve, if such a proposal has really been made, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said.
"It seems to me that, if such a proposal has been made, the militia wouldn't object to it," Lavrov said at a press conference following negotiations with South Ossetian Foreign Minister David Sanakoyev, when asked by a journalist to comment on Lukashenko's statement that Minsk could offer security guarantees for Ukrainian troops' pullout of Debaltseve.
Lavrov noted at the same time that he had not heard about Lukashenko's proposal himself.
"I believe any proposals that could help do this deserve support, certainly if the Ukrainian authorities themselves agree to this," he added.
"We are calling on everyone once again now, including in Debaltseve, to stop firing. Yes, there are people who have been encircled there, but let's resolve their fate through negotiations, thinking primarily about human lives," Lavrov said.
It was reported earlier that Lukashenko had offered Minsk's guarantees on ending the fighting in the area of Debaltseve and pulling Ukrainian troops out of it.
