MINSK, October 17. /TASS/. Ukraine’s former President Viktor Yanukovych is responsible for the crisis in Ukraine, Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko told a news conference for the Russian media on Friday.

“President Yanukovych is the only one to blame for what has happened in Ukraine. To blame is my very former good friend - Yanukovych,” he said. Lukashenko noted that an unconstitutional coup and a seizure of power happened in Ukraine.“

The Belarusian leader stressed military actions in Ukraine’s east should be stopped.

“It is necessary to begin restoring the villages and towns, or the situation would be a catastrophe,” he said.

The conflict in Ukraine may be settled by negotiations only, he said. “There won’t be winners. We all are for a dialogue,” he said.

The Belarusian president said he has always had good relations with Ukrainian leaders, including with the current ones, and he will support contacts with these people.