MINSK, 5 March (BelTA) – Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Ukraine to Belarus Mikhail Ezhel believes that Belarus will take a constructive approach regarding the situation in Ukraine. He made this statement as he spoke with reporters on 5 March, BelTA has learnt.

“I think Belarus is a very pragmatic country with pragmatic people and pragmatic government that will adopt a constructive approach,” the diplomat said. He emphasized that “Ukraine has brotherly ties with Belarus”.

Ambassador noted that any setbacks in the bilateral trade and economic relations are temporary. The diplomat expressed confidence that the bilateral trade will keep expanding. He added that a session of the Belarus-Ukraine intergovernmental cooperation commission might be held as early as March. “I think this will be the first attempt to reconcile our positions,” the diplomat said.

When asked if refugees from Ukraine approached the Ukrainian Embassy in Minsk, Mikhail Ezhel noted that the embassy did not receive any requests regarding employment or anything else.

The ambassador emphasized that he considers today’s Ukrainian government legitimate. “We serve the Ukrainian people and represent their interests here,” he said.

Commenting on the sentiments towards Russian-speaking people in Ukraine, the diplomat noted that there were no reported cases of provocations against Russian-speaking citizens or Russian military. “The authorities try to prevent any provocations,” he said. At the same time the diplomat believes that Russia should gradually withdraw its troops from the territory of Ukraine.

Mikhail Ezhel believes that “everything should be reformed in Ukraine”. He pointed to the high level of corruption that plagued the country.

“I think there will be enough political will and common sense to prevent bloodshed,” the diplomat added.