Belarus to host Ukraine peace talks again
Belarus says it is going to host a new series of peace talks on Ukraine, as tensions have been on the rise in eastern Ukrainian regions over the past month.
The representatives of Ukraine, Russia, pro-Russia forces and the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) are going to begin another round of talks in the Belarusian capital, Minsk, on Friday, according to the Belarusian Foreign Ministry.
On Thursday, pro-Russia forces confirmed that they would be participating in the meeting. Ukraine, however, is yet to announce whether it would be attending.
Belarusian president calls for restraint
Earlier on Thursday, Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko urged all sides involved in the Ukrainian crisis to “do their utmost to stop that war.”
Voicing concern about the potential spillover of the crisis “into the territories of Russia and Belarus," Lukashenko called on Europe, the US, and Russia to take decisive measures to halt the fighting.
Earlier attempts at mediation
Back in September 2014, Minsk hosted the representatives of Ukraine, Russia, and the self-proclaimed republics of Donetsk and Lugansk, who finally inked a ceasefire deal to end the deadly clashes in eastern Ukraine. However, the truce has been violated almost daily.
Kiev and its Western allies accuse Moscow of supporting the pro-Russia forces in eastern Ukraine, saying the Russian intervention poses a security threat to Ukraine and all other neighboring states. Russia, however, has categorically denied the allegations.
The two mainly Russian-speaking regions of Donetsk and Lugansk have been the scene of deadly clashes between pro-Russia protesters and the Ukrainian army since Kiev’s military operation began in April 2014 in a bid to crush the protests.
According to the UN, more than 5,100 people have been killed during the intensified violence since May 2014. Back then, the two flashpoint regions held local referendums in which their residents voted overwhelmingly in favor of independence from Ukraine and joining the Russian Federation.
MIS/HJL
Related stories:
Belarus urges end to Ukraine clashes Thu. Jan. 29, 2015
US warns Russia of more sanctions Thu. Jan. 29, 2015
Ukraine urges new truce talks Thu. Jan. 29, 2015
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