MINSK, January 29. /TASS/. Belarus, Russia and Ukraine have close economic and cultural ties which cannot be severed, Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko told a press conference in Minsk on Thursday.

"Russia, Belarus and Ukraine have the closest historic, cultural and economic ties. No one will be allowed and it’s impossible to break off this relationship," Lukashenko said.

Last year was marked by the escalation of tensions not only in the neighboring Ukraine, but also in other parts of the world, he said. "The tragedy of a brotherly nation forces us to think about how to preserve peace and stability," the Belarusian president stressed.

Lukashenko holds an annual press conference for the Belarusian and foreign mass media at the Palace of Independence. The event is broadcast live and attended by 260 journalists from regional media and TV channels, and also foreign correspondents.