Gerashchenko wants Belarus to remain neutral in Minsk talks

16:31, 12.12.2016 1 min read

First Deputy Verkhovna Rada Speaker and member of the Minsk Trilateral Talks Iryna Gerashchenko has called on Belarus to remain neutral and not take sides in talks to end Russian aggression in eastern Ukraine.

Gerashchenko on her Facebook said she held a meeting with the Belarusian Ambassador to Ukraine Ihor Sokol, during which she thanked Belarus "for creating a neutral space in Minsk for holding the trilateral talks.

"We value Belarusian hospitality and, sometimes, it seems in Minsk Ukrainian members of the group spend more time there than in Kyiv. At the same time, let me state the clear position of Ukrainian officials: We expect Belarus to be neutral, without talking sides in talks," she said.

Gerashchenko said it was like "a dagger in the back when Belarus didn't vote for a UN resolution about violations of human rights in Crimea." She said during talks with the Belarusian envoy bilateral cooperation issues were discussed, "including issues of inter-parliamentary dialogue and cooperation in the economic and humanitarian spheres."