Ukraine's MFA: Zelensky not to visit Belarus amid mass protests

The president was scheduled to attend a forum in Grodno on October 8-9.

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Ukraine's Minister of Foreign Affairs (MFA) Dmytro Kuleba says Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky will not visit Belarus while mass protests continue there.

"Until the situation in Belarus stabilizes, it would be reckless to announce any visit or initiative," Kuleba told UA:Ukrainian Radio on August 14.

Read alsoTwo Ukrainians detained in Belarus released

The stabilization of the situation in Belarus with minimal losses through a dialogue between the Belarusian authorities and society is key now, he said.

"It is obvious to everyone that such dialogue is needed. And we represent a country where the right to peaceful protest is indisputable. We have our own history. Each country has its own specifics, and it is obvious to us that they need to start talking and looking for a way out of the situation that has now emerged in Belarus," he said.

Zelensky's visit to Belarus: What is known

  • Earlier, the Belarusian Embassy in Ukraine announced Zelensky's plans to visit Belarus during the Forum of Regions held by the two countries.
  • The forum is planned to be held in Grodno on October 8-9.
  • On August 5, Zelensky and Lukashenko held a telephone conversation, during which, in particular, they talked about the extradition of members of Russia's PMC Wagner detained in Belarus.
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