Ukraine prepares Belarus’ response to border closures / GORDON



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Ukraine, along with Poland and Lithuania, is thinking about how to react to the closure of Belarus’s borders with all neighboring countries except Russia.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine is studying how to respond to Belarus to the closure of borders, if the reason for this was not the spread of the coronavirus infection. This statement was made by Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Dmitry Kuleba on the air of the program “Freedom of expression Savik Shuster” on the channel “Ukraine” on October 30.

“Belarus closes the borders with three neighboring countries: Ukraine, Poland and Lithuania. Official reason an increase in the number of COVID-19 patients. They did not close it with Russia. This is its official version. We are now consulting with Poland and Lithuania to respond appropriately. We regret that Belarus has chosen this path ”, commented the minister.

If it turns out that the cause was not COVID-19, but grand politics, Ukrainian diplomats will react accordingly, said the head of the Foreign Ministry.

“We are now studying this decision,” Kuleba summarized.

When asked if there is now a dialogue between the two countries, Kuleba said that Ukraine is constantly in contact with the Belarusian people.

“As Foreign Minister, before entering into a dialogue with the opposition, you must make clear what the position of these people is on the Russian aggression, the illegal occupation of Crimea, if they come to power, even with our help. Belarusian affairs. But we want to clearly understand what kind of policy they will have, “Kuleba said.

What representatives of the Belarusian opposition say about Ukraine now, according to the Ukrainian minister, “is about nothing.”

Since August 9, in Belarus, massive protests have continued from those who disagree with the results of the vote in the presidential elections. According to official data, the victory was won by the country’s president, Alexander Lukashenko, for whom 80.1% of the voters voted. Second place with 10.1% of the vote was taken by opposition candidate Svetlana Tikhanovskaya. At the same time, alternative exit polls showed the opposite picture: Tikhanovskaya’s confident victory.

The Belarusian security forces violently dispersed the demonstrations using explosions, rubber bullets and water cannons. During the protests, hundreds of protesters were injured and wounded, and more than 14,000 people were arrested. According to official figures, four protesters died.

Lukashenka assumed the presidency on September 23. For the first time in the history of Belarus, the opening ceremony was not announced or broadcast on television. Several states, including the United States, Great Britain, Canada, Germany, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway, Poland, Denmark, Ukraine and the Czech Republic, did not recognize Lukashenko’s inauguration.

Lukashenko accuses the opposition of trying to seize power and believes that the protests are financed by Western countries. According to him, Ukraine along with the United States, Poland, Lithuania and the Czech Republic have been preparing “for the present moment” for 10 years.

Belarus closed borders with all neighboring countries except Russia. October 29th.



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