Lukashenko Proposed Deploying Joint UN-OSCE Mission in Donbas

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Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko has proposed considering the deployment of a joint UN-OSCE peacekeeping mission in Ukraine. “We need to continue to look for a mutually acceptable solution to the deployment of peacekeepers in Donbas. Perhaps it makes sense to consider the deployment of a joint UN and OSCE mission in Ukraine”, Lukashenko said at a Munich Security Conference Core Group Meeting in Minsk on Wednesday. This mission could comprise military service members, police members, and civilian personnel from countries that have been contributing as much as they can to the conflict’s resolution, he said. “It must be ensured that this mission is deployed in a phased manner”, Lukashenko added. Lukashenko also proposed deploying a technical office of the Trilateral Contact Group for Ukraine in Minsk. “We stand ready to consider the establishment of a technical office of the Trilateral Contact Group in Minsk”, he said. Lukashenko said that his country was ready to take responsibility for maintaining peace in the east of Ukraine, to exercise control on the Russian-Ukrainian border and to facilitate the holding of elections in Donbas. “We can take responsibility for ensuring peace in the eastern regions of Ukraine and control on the Russian-Ukrainian border. We also can handle the conduct of elections in Donbas, based on the understanding that these regions are an integral part of Ukraine”, Lukashenko said. He noted that in order to implement these proposals it is necessary to discuss them at the negotiating table with the participation of all the parties involved. “Let's be honest: a solution to the conflict in Donbas could have been found long ago if desired. It's necessary to keep on working to empower the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission and the Trilateral Contact Group”, he said. He noted that in order to implement these proposals it is necessary to discuss them at the negotiating table with the participation of all the parties involved. “Let's be honest: if we fail to attract the United States, we will hardly achieve our goal”, said the President of Belarus. Lukashenko said he believes no one has been able to handle the conflict in southeastern Ukraine so far. “We have to admit now that nobody has been able to resolve the problem of ending the hostilities in southeastern Ukraine. Neither the Normandy Quartet, nor the Trilateral Contact Group, nor the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission in Ukraine, nor the Volker-Surkov format”, he said. However, he said “to be honest: a solution to the conflict in Donbas could have been found long ago if desired. It's necessary to keep on working to empower the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission and the Trilateral Contact Group”, Lukashenko said. According to him “It is important to complement the diplomatic dialogue with interrelations between parliamentarians, members of regional administrations, civil society and experts”, he said.