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Belarus president believes US arms supplies to Ukraine will push Russia to respond

Alexander Lukashenko has urged the US to sit down at negotiating table, agree with Russia on Ukraine
Alexander Lukashenko EPA/SERGEI GRITS/POOL
Alexander Lukashenko
© EPA/SERGEI GRITS/POOL

MINSK, April 2. /TASS/. Peace in Ukraine is still a long way off and the United States should immediately engage in the negotiation process, Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko has told Bloomberg in an interview published by the presidential press service on Thursday.

The Belarusian leader answered questions concerning the progress in the Ukrainian settlement after the Normandy Four leaders (Russia, Ukraine, Germany and France) meeting in Minsk.

"There are too many developments and various tendencies there. To be brief: I would not like it to be the calm before the storm. There are certain concerns and, I would say even more, definite tendencies and facts, factors that show there is still a long way for Ukraine to peace," Lukashenko said.

Lukashenko believes that Washington should participate in the negotiation process.

"I believe that without the Americans no stability is possible in Ukraine… if they [the Americans] want peace and stability they should immediately engage in that process," the Belarusian president said.

The Belarusian leader said the US plays a decisive role in this process both for the domestic political situation in Ukraine and sitting down to talk with Russia on Ukraine.

"If Russia and the United States decide to have peace there, in eastern Ukraine, the issue will be settled once and for all," he stressed.

Lukashenko believes that if Washington provides Ukraine with serious armament, this will lead to the escalation of the conflict. "It would push Russia to respond," he said.