Dzheppar: West should step up pressure on Russia over actions against Belarus
"That is why, in our opinion, the West should step up the pressure on Russia over its actions towards Belarus," First Deputy Foreign Minister of Ukraine Emine Dzheppar said during the UN Security Council’s informal high-level Arria-formula meeting on the situation in Belarus, the Foreign Ministry's press service informs.
It is extremely important to Ukraine and the whole of Europe that Belarus remains a sovereign and independent country, and further integration into the Russian Federation does not lead to the emergence of new challenges and threats on the borders of Ukraine and the European Union, Dzheppar noted.
In her speech, the deputy foreign minister stressed that Ukraine sought to develop good neighborly relations with the Republic of Belarus as an independent, sovereign, and prosperous country in which democratic values are upheld and fundamental freedoms are respected.
"Unfortunately, today Belarus is moving away from this goal," Dzheppar said.
According to her, "within the framework of Putin's policy of comprehensive absorbing and stripping Belarus of its sovereignty, the anschluss of Belarus is actually taking place and it is being transformed into yet another military base to destabilize the security situation in Europe."
Dzheppar paid special attention to the long-lasting and growing human rights violations and the campaign of political repression in Belarus.
"Citizens of Ukraine also became victims of these repressions. We will continue making efforts to release our illegally detained compatriots and protect their rights," the official said.
The event was initiated by the UN Security Council members: Estonia, Great Britain, Ireland, Norway, the United States, and France.
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