Belarus says interested in Russia-Ukraine peace talks

September 22, BPN. Belarusian Foreign Minister Uładzimir Makiej has told the UN Security Council that his country would be willing to facilitate Russian-Ukrainian peace talks.

“Minsk, as a direct neighbor, is interested in participating in Russia-Ukraine talks on a strategic peace settlement, and is ready to create all the required conditions for their continuation, including on Belarusian soil,” he said, as quoted by the Belarusian foreign ministry website.

“The final agreements should also take into account the interests of Belarus,” he added.

He continued by saying a smear campaign was organized against Minsk to present it as the aggressor’s accomplice or even party to the conflict.

He stressed that “not a single Belarusian soldier or piece of hardware were sent to Ukraine to participate in hostilities.”

“Belarus has never supported war. But we are not traitors! We have allied obligations [to Russia], and firmly follow and will continue to follow the spirit and letter of the international treaties to which we are parties,” Makiej said.

He blamed the West for arming Ukraine and encouraging what he described as Ukrainian extremist groups that preached violence and neo-Nazism.