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Belarusian president’s mediation may be useful in solving Ukrainian crisis — politician

According to the opposition lawmaker, even the incumbent Kiev government supports this initiative

KIEV, March 24. /TASS/. Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko, who greatly assisted in holding Ukrainian reconciliation talks in Minsk, can become an important mediator in the ongoing peace process, the chairman of the Opposition Platform - For Life party’s Political Council, Viktor Medvedchuk, said in a NewsOne TV channel broadcast on Saturday.

"Lukashenko has repeatedly said that he would do his best should the need arise for his peacemaking effort. My meetings with Lukashenko convinced me that he should join the mediation effort. He is a person who enjoys great support, including in Ukraine, and may seriously influence the negotiation process," Medvedchuk said.

According to the opposition lawmaker, even the incumbent Kiev government supports this initiative.

"Even [Ukrainian President Pyotr] Poroshenko agrees that Lukashenko should take part in reconciliation and mediation. An I personally believe that he could have great influence on agreements which are now being discussed in Minsk," he said.

Medvedchuk believes that his country should be grateful to the Belarusian president for providing a platform for reconciliation talks, which is convenient for all sides and international mediators.

"First of all, it’s not far from Kiev, and, secondly, representatives of Donetsk, Lugansk and Russia can travel there freely. He [Lukashenko] also ensures the functioning of the negotiation process… and this is also very important," the Ukrainian politician said, also thanking the Belarusian Foreign Ministry for their help.