An archive photo

MINSK, 26 August (BelTA) – Belarus remains a platform for peace, negotiations and resolving humanitarian matters. Andrei Bogodel, Candidate of Military Sciences, made the statement in a recent episode of BelTA’s On Point project.

He drew attention to the fact that on 24 August, the day when Ukraine celebrates its Independence Day, Belarus once again assisted Moscow and Kiev with exchanging citizens using the “10 for 10” formula.

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The expert also mentioned the greetings sent by Belarus President Aleksandr Lukashenko to the Ukrainian people on the occasion of the holiday. In this message the head of state expressed confidence that future generations of Belarusians and Ukrainians will preserve friendly and family ties while Minsk and Kiev will restore mutually beneficial cooperation based on the principles of trust, respect, and equality.

Meanwhile purely military rhetoric was heard in Kiev these days. “What did the gentlemen from this ‘coalition of the willing’ who came to the holiday in Kiev talk about? ‘Russia needs to be punished, dealt a strategic defeat, and Ukraine needs to be given more weapons and ammunition’. Do you feel the different aspects? What does Lukashenko do on 24 August: 10 Ukrainian citizens are returned to their homeland – children, husbands. And what do European politicians bring there: money for weaponry, loans, secret blueprints for missiles. And here deeds speak much louder than any words,” Andrei Bogodel stated.

In his words, with his decisions the Belarusian head of state once again outlined Belarus’ clear stance. “The word ‘Minsk’ today can be associated only with peace, negotiations and taking care of complex humanitarian matters and tasks,” the expert stressed. “We clearly see where the real humanitarian and negotiation platform is, where they are ready to resolve these matters. Officers of the Main Directorate of Intelligence of Ukraine came, and they were at a loss for words. They understand: no one else does what Lukashenko does, what Minsk does, what all of Belarus does. We are ready for reconciliation and ending this war not in words, but in deeds.”