Espreso. Global

Russia, Ukraine agree to 'lease' Crimea at talks in Istanbul - Lukashenko

14 June, 2023 Wednesday
19:18

Self-proclaimed President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko says that Russia and Ukraine agreed to 'lease' Crimea at talks in Istanbul in March 2022

client/title.list_title

He said this in an interview with Russian propagandist Olga Skabeeva.

The Belarusian dictator emphasizes that this “was a good process” that has now been abandoned. In addition, he claims that the territories that Russia was supposed to 'rent' have now become “part of it under the Constitution.”

“Putin hands me a document that was signed by the delegations. It's normal, even for Crimea - the lease there is long, in Donbas, in the east... It's a normal agreement. If only it were possible now, but it is not. Now it is already the territory of Russia according to the Constitution. But it was a normal project, and it was already agreed that the Foreign Ministry would initial it, and then the heads of state had to decide, sign, and so on. It was a good process, but they abandoned it,” Lukashenko said.

The self-proclaimed leader also said that his son Nikolai played a significant role in organizing the talks, as he “helped organize a phone conversation with Volodymyr Zelenskyy.”

“After a long conversation, the President of Ukraine finally agreed to hold talks with the Russian side in Belarus. Later they were moved to Istanbul, as the West insisted,” the statement says. 

According to Lukashenko, Nikolai is still insisting on organizing the talks. The Belarusian dictator also said that the West “cannot be trusted to organize negotiations.” According to him, the Minsk agreements were just a pause to build up Ukraine's military power.

In addition, Lukashenko said that if the West violates the negotiation process, it is worth using nuclear weapons.

“There can only be one thing. If we agree on a peace process, the war stops, no movement: no tanks, no military. As soon as it's over, I think we should use nuclear weapons. This is the only way to talk to them. You can't have a dialogue with them and trust them. They will deceive you,” he added.

Negotiations between Ukraine and Russia in Istanbul in March 2022

On March 29, Ukraine and Russia held talks in Istanbul to discuss international security guarantees for Ukraine, a ceasefire to address humanitarian issues, and the treatment of prisoners in accordance with international conventions.

Ukraine's negotiating delegation included Deputy Head of the Ukrainian President's Office Kyrylo Tymoshenko, Defense Minister Oleksii Reznikov, Advisor to the Head of the President's Office Mykhailo Podolyak, Head of the Servant of the People faction David Arakhamia, MP Andriy Kostin, Co-Chair of the Crimean Platform inter-factional association in the Verkhovna Rada Rustem Umerov, and Deputy Foreign Minister Mykola Tochytskyi.

As a result of the negotiations, the Ukrainian delegation offered Russia an agreement that provided for negotiations between Kyiv and Moscow on the status of the annexed Crimea over the next 15 years. It was noted that during this time, the period of negotiations, there would be a ban on the use of armed forces to resolve the issue of Crimea.

On April 20, Russian presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that the Kremlin had handed over to Ukraine its draft treaty between the countries, which had been developed as a result of bilateral negotiations.

On May 15, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba expressed skepticism about a possible ceasefire agreement with Russia and said that Kyiv would not allow diplomacy to prolong the suffering of Ukrainians.

On May 17, advisor to the head of the President's Office Mykhailo Podolyak said that the negotiation process on peace between Ukraine and Russia had been suspended.

Tags:
Read also:
  • News
2024, Thursday
12 September
21:30
Ukraine returns 931 children from Russian-occupied territories since 2022
21:10
Ukraine has right to strike at air bases where Russian bombers take off - Polish FM Sikorski
20:55
Putin: launch of Western long-range weapons deep into Russia would mean NATO's involvement in Ukraine war
20:32
Exclusive
"Biden's position will depend on what Blinken heard in Kyiv": analyst on greenlight to strike at Russia
20:12
Guerrillas blow up Russian guards involved in tortures in Ukraine
19:56
Exclusive
'It will be good news': expert on potential transfer of AGM-158A capable of hitting Russian airfields
19:30
79 clashes occur at front, majority in Kurakhove, Pokrovsk sectors - Ukraine's General Staff
19:12
Exclusive
Russian army wants to approach Pokrovsk from flanks - Ukrainian military
18:50
Ukrainians do not have resources to stop Russian offensive in Donbas: foreign fakes on September 12
18:29
Exclusive
One of Russia's newest fighter jet models destroyed over Black Sea
18:06
Russia hits ship with wheat, Zelenskyy emphasizes need for food security
17:55
"It goes according to Ukraine's plan": Zelenskyy on Russia's counteroffensive in Kursk region
17:32
Ukraine secures Soviet-era howitzers from Poland amid limited Western aid
17:10
EU extends personal sanctions for 6 months over Russian aggression in Ukraine
16:48
Exclusive
Not full-scale offensive: expert on Russian troops' activity in Kursk region
16:31
Updated
Russian shelling kills 3 Red Cross employees in Donetsk region
16:13
Russia attacks Ukraine with Shaheds, missiles: homes, power facilities hit in Konotop, casualties reported
15:53
OPINION
Which train to Europe will Ukraine be in time for?
15:39
Exclusive
"Tough times ahead for Pokrovsk": Editor-in-chief of Suspilne. Donbas Kramchenkov
15:17
Iranian missiles to Russia shift Ukraine debate — UK Foreign Secretary Lammy
14:59
Ukrainian Foreign Ministry urges Hasidic pilgrims to refrain from travelling to Uman for Rosh Hashanah
14:44
“Direct threat to peace and stability”: Ukraine's Foreign Ministry condemns NK's missile launches
14:28
OPINION
Analogous to HIMARS or Iranian Smerch: What are Fath-360 missiles Russia might use against Ukraine soon?
13:59
Exclusive
Russian counteroffensive in Kursk: not the success claimed, expert says
13:47
OPINION
“Peacekeeping marathon”. What is really happening?
13:19
President of Estonia Alar Karis arrives in Kyiv
12:55
Russia cuts off water supply to Pokrovsk, no restoration possible: officials urge evacuation
12:34
U.S., EU concerned about China transferring dual-use goods to Russia for warfare
12:14
Exclusive
Ukraine debate between Harris, Trump return U.S. to international politics - Journalist Gypson
11:52
Britain to allow Ukraine to use Storm Shadow missiles for strikes on Russia – media
11:30
Canadian Film Festival refuses to cancel screening of propaganda film Russians at War
11:13
How Kazakhstani shell company aids Russian military in servicing Su-30SM aircraft with French equipment
10:47
Exclusive
Russia maintains pressure in Kupyansk sector while protecting equipment – 14th Mechanized Brigade
10:18
Lithuania urges targeting Russian drones following UAV incident in Latvia
09:56
Ukrainian Defence Intelligence downs Russian Su-30SM aircraft over Black Sea: Video
09:42
Russia loses 630,000 troops since beginning of full-scale invasion of Ukraine
2024, Wednesday
11 September
21:20
UK announces $780 million aid package for Ukraine
21:00
Ukraine takes center stage at Trump-Harris presidential debate – U.S. journalist
20:45
Exclusive
Russian military begins to understand its strengths, weaknesses - Ukraine’s 3rd Brigade spokesman
20:22
Iran’s Fath-360 missile shipment to Russia: route, dates, numbers revealed
More news