Belarus explained why they do not recognize Crimea as Russian
Russia does not make claims against Belarus due to the fact that official Minsk still has not recognized the Russian status of Crimea. This was stated in an interview with Tut.by by Belarusian Minister of Foreign Affairs Vladimir Makei.
“We have no disputes with Russia on this issue. We believe that if we have been asked to play the role of a platform for negotiations, then we must maintain a neutral position in relation to all participants. We see our task as creating conditions for greater understanding between Russia and Ukraine, and not for greater division. Therefore, all steps that Belarus takes will be based on the need to overcome confrontation, and not to strengthen it in our region and in relations between the Slavic states,” Makei said.
He emphasized that in Belarus there is no fear of “enslavement” by Russia.
“We see absolutely no fears about Russia turning into what the novelist Hollande called an “ice strip of conquered lands.” We have absolutely normal relations with our eastern neighbor. Now there is another agreement on the next meeting of heads of state in an expanded format, where issues of trade, economic, political and other interaction between the two states will be discussed,” Makei said.
As PolitNavigator reported, previously the President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko shamed Russian businesses that are afraid to openly work in Crimea due to possible Western sanctions.
Lukashenko said that Minsk provided assistance to Crimea after Ukraine began a blockade of the peninsula.
“Aksenov’s father wrote me a letter, old Aksenov, his father. And asked for help. “We simply have nothing to cultivate the land with - this is blocked, this, there is no water, and so on.” I hesitated and hesitated, the Minister of Foreign Affairs asked what to do, I said: “Okay, not strangers,” I sent a delegation there at the government level. To study the situation - the situation is terrible. Of course, we need to help people. And he didn’t hide it.
Your businessmen, I know many of them, some of your leaders, and quite a few of them, are afraid to say “Crimea” at all. Because many people have money in the West, property. They are afraid to supply anything necessary to Crimea at all. “Yes, please take it, but I have nothing to do with this,” because they will instantly fall under sanctions! And I am at the government level. What's more important? Chatter or concrete actions? - said Lukashenko.
Meanwhile, the Belarusian public movement “Civil Harmony” called on Lukashenko to officially recognize Crimea. Co-chairman Artyom Agafonov explained that recognition of Russian Crimea will not affect relations with Ukraine, since the ruling regime in Kyiv is already hostile to Belarus.
“They threaten us with sabotage groups and even make territorial claims. We need to be aware that Belarusian-Ukrainian relations will not get any better under the current regime. Over the course of four years, Ukraine, consumed by nationalistic and militaristic hysteria, managed to quarrel with all its neighbors, proving once again that a regime built on hatred and chauvinism cannot have friends. At the same time, Russia continues to remain the closest strategic ally of the Belarusian state,” says the politician.
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