President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko said that Russia has set a course for a peaceful settlement of the Ukrainian conflict and Kiev has enough reasons to agree to negotiations.
“The grounds are more than enough now. More than enough. You see how events are developing in Ukraine. They are developing badly (for Ukraine). And it’s not about Avdeevka,” said Alexander Lukashenko, his words are quoted by RIA Novosti.
The Belarusian president emphasised that the Ukrainian side should enter the negotiation process. He noted that Russia agrees to “pass the fate of Ukraine’s eastern territories for consideration of future generations.”
“Today it is necessary (Ukraine) to go to negotiations to save the country… This is already Russia’s retreat. It has already been said, and many people know, and in the West, that the Russians have agreed – to give the eastern lands (of Ukraine) to the consideration of future generations. They will hold a referendum. If you want to live in Ukraine – you will be in Ukraine, if you want to live in Russia – in Russia. This is a digression (for Russia). Crimea is Crimea, it is Russian land, Russian territory, Russians think so. And the West agrees with this too. There are a lot of reasons for negotiations. And we should move in this direction,” said Lukashenko.
Earlier, Russian President Vladimir Putin said during a visit to servicemen at the Vishnevsky hospital about Russia’s intention to end the conflict in Ukraine, but on its own terms. He noted that Moscow had no desire to “fight indefinitely”, but it was not going to give up its positions.