You're reading: Lukashenko on Donbas: This misunderstanding must end

The conflict in eastern Ukraine needs to end as soon as possible, Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko said.

“This misunderstanding (I cannot describe it otherwise) must end. These are fraternal republics and peoples. […] This is a gift to our enemies and rivals,” Lukashenko told Ukrainian politician Viktor Medvedchuk at their meeting in Minsk on Jan. 14.

The president said it was important to him to hear Medvedchuk’s opinion on many issues, especially the events unfolding in Ukraine.

“This is important to me not just because I care about what is happening there, but also because this is our dear Ukraine. I served there, I paid numerous visits, and I do not hide the fact that my ancient roots lie somewhere between Chernihiv and Kyiv,” Lukashenko said.

“Our relations with Ukraine are also essential. When the conflict broke out, there was an influx of up to 150,000 people from Ukraine, according to our estimates. We gave them rights and conditions equal to those enjoyed by Belarusians. It was not easy. But, thank God, everything went well. Some people have gone back, some are traveling back and forth, and some have settled down to live and work here as our kin,” Lukashenko said.

“Those events also have negative consequences, and I always speak about them in public,” he said.

Lukashenko told Medvedchuk he was aware of the latter’s stance on the normalization of Russia-Ukraine relations. “You have information about policy, unfolding domestic political events. This information is very important to Belarus from the point of view of its further actions. You should brief me on this situation,” he said.