Meeting with Ukraine President Petro Poroshenko

President of the Republic of Belarus Aleksandr Lukashenko assured his Ukrainian counterpart Petro Poroshenko that Belarus will do everything to restore peace in Ukraine. The Belarusian head of state made the statement at the bilateral meeting with the President of Ukraine prior to the Normandy format meeting in Minsk on 11 February.

“I thank you for the trust in our country and our nation. It means a lot,” the Belarusian leader said.

“I would like to assure you that we will do everything to ensure peace and tranquility in your country. It seems to me we have already proven it by our actions. We have been fulfilling everything we promise to you and the Ukrainian people. Rest assured that we will continue doing so,” Aleksandr Lukashenko stressed.

Aleksandr Lukashenko pointed out that the leaders of the two countries have stayed in touch a lot, have talked a lot albeit over the phone. Apart from the situation in Ukraine, they have discussed an entire range of matters including the bilateral relations. “Surprisingly, we have not curtailed the trade. Contrariwise, trade is going well. We are also glad that we are taking a lot of orders from your enterprises,” the Belarusian head of state said.

President of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko stressed that the Normandy format meeting in Minsk has a huge international importance.

“I am convinced that eyes of the entire world are fixed on Minsk today. The entire world is waiting to see whether the situation will follow the way of de-escalation, ceasefire, withdrawal of weapons with no more human lives lost or if Minsk does not become this symbol, the situation will actually fall apart. I am convinced that there is a risk it may go out of control,” Petro Poroshenko stated.

He mentioned the strong international interest in the Minsk meeting within the framework of the Normandy format. “It is symbolic that the meeting is taking place in Minsk. Today the peace process in Ukraine is connected with the Minsk protocol of 5 September, the Minsk memorandum of 19 September and I keep my fingers crossed in favor of this day going down in the history of global diplomacy as the date when the agreement on peace was reached,” the President of Ukraine said.

Petro Poroshenko also stressed that the Belarusian side and Aleksandr Lukashenko personally had done everything necessary to organize the meeting. “You told me that Minsk is ready to do its best at any time to contribute to de-escalation, peace, and the reduction of tension,” Petro Poroshenko noted.

“The international recognition of Minsk has changed by a lot over the last 4-5 months. I am extremely pleased with it and once again would like to thank you for the effective organization of the work,” the President of Ukraine concluded.

Speaking about the bilateral relations, Petro Poroshenko remarked that there are no problems between Ukraine and Belarus. “The bilateral relations between Ukraine and Belarus are at the highest level today. I can state that for the first time in many years there are absolutely no bilateral problems in Ukraine-Belarus relations. It is a great accomplishment,” Petro Poroshenko emphasized.