ISTANBUL

Meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin, Belarus’ president on Wednesday offered to host Ukraine peace talks in his country, saying it is ready “if you wish to return” to the capital, Minsk.

During the meeting in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, Alexander Lukashenko thanked Putin for keeping their planned appointment despite his busy schedule, stressing that Moscow and Minsk “have many serious issues to discuss” and that both sides need consultations before making decisions, according to the Belarusian presidency.

“If you wish to return to Minsk again, you know we’re always ready,” said Lukashenko.

He said Belarus continues to hold dialogue with Western countries and the US, adding: “Even the Americans never raise this issue. They cut it off once, and that’s it.”

He said Belarus’ cooperation with Russia is “legally justified,” adding: “We are allies, after all.”

Putin, for his part, said one of the key items on their agenda was the security of the Union State – referring to the supranational union between the two countries – and developments surrounding efforts to peaceably resolve the Ukraine conflict.

“I’ll be happy to inform you of what’s happening in terms of achieving acceptable results, the results we seek through peaceful means, in the Ukrainian direction,” Putin told Lukashenko, saying he knows the Belarusian leader “strives to see this conflict end.”

Putin also praised Belarus for its early role in facilitating contacts between Moscow and Kyiv.

“We remember your contribution. From the very first days (of the war), all efforts undertaken by Belarus yielded positive results. Our first contacts on this issue with Kyiv’s authorities took place on Belarusian soil, with your support,” he said.

Belarus hosted the initial rounds of Russia-Ukraine talks in early 2022, though negotiations later moved to Türkiye before stalling entirely.