Belarusian and Ukrainian leaders discuss line of contact in south-east Ukraine
MINSK. Dec 30 (Interfax) - During his recent visit to Kyiv, Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko and his Ukrainian counterpart Petro Poroshenko discussed the problem of the line of contact between pro-Kyiv forces and the militia in Ukraine's south-eastern regions, as well as issues concerning the functioning of the Russian-Ukrainian border.
"As far as my talks with the president of Ukraine are concerned, the central topic was the line of engagement that exists between the Ukrainian army and the militia. They should be separated by an area of at least 30 kilometers. This area needs to be monitored in order to avoid clashes. Heavy weapons should be withdrawn as well," Lukashenko told reporters in Minsk on Monday.
The Belarusian president said that the possibility of "shutting down the border with Russia" had also been addressed.
"There is a massive degree of mistrust there. President [Poroshenko] said straight out that if the Belarusians were able to help them in any way, he would be grateful," Lukashenko said.
Lukashenko said he had asked his Ukrainian counterpart to decide how Belarus could help them tackle these problems.
When assessing the results of a December 24 meeting of the trilateral Contact Group for Ukraine in Minsk, Lukashenko said "not much was agreed upon, but a decision was made concerning POW exchanges. And, as we can learn from media reports, this exchange has already begun."
The Belarusian leader said he was convinced that meetings of the trilateral Contact Group would continue.
"I believe that the next session is not far away. But a decision on it has not been made. They have no other choice but to meet and reach agreements," the Belarusian president said, adding that his country could not stay indifferent to the situation in Ukraine.
"It is not someone else's conflict. All this is happening near our threshold. And we ought to try to do everything we can to help extinguish this conflict. It is possible to end it," he said.
"And if we are able to do it, we, strong men, and I, as commander-in-chief, will do it. We are not imposing ourselves on them. We have never interfered there and are not interfering today. If they ask us to help, we will help. But if they do not ask us, it is up to them to resolve this issue," Lukashenko said.
