You're reading: Ambassador: Kyiv concerned about situation in Belarus, against sanctions

Minsk - Ukraine is concerned about the situation with human rights in Belarus and shares the European Union's assessment of the events in Minsk on December 19, Ukrainian Ambassador in Minsk Roman Bezsmertny has said.

"Ukraine is very concerned about the situation with human rights. Our country has set the goal of becoming an EU member, therefore, our assessment of the state of human rights in Belarus, especially during and after the events on December 19, 2010, coincides with an assessment of the European Union," he said in an interview with Interfax-West.

However, Bezsmertny said that Ukraine was against the introduction of economic sanctions against Belarus.

"Of course, we cannot maintain absolute isolation, and we will continue economic cooperation, especially as our annual trade turnover of nearly five billion [dollars] pays the salaries of both Ukrainians and Belarusians," the Ukrainian diplomat said.

He also added: "Belarus is situated in the heart of Europe, and therefore we should understand that the use of certain sanctions will affect the rights of Belarusian citizens."