Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko has lauded Germany's contribution to settling the conflict in Ukraine.

"True, there are still many problems after the 'Normandy format' meeting [held in Minsk in 2015] but there is no war there, in Ukraine. People would still be dying if Germany had not taken a firm stand," Lukashenko said at a meeting with German Foreign Minister Sigmar Gabriel in Minsk on Friday, according to the BelTA state-run agency.

"Germany can make a great contribution to modern history if it continues this course towards normalization in eastern Ukraine," Lukashenko said.