Ryzhenkov commented on the possibility of meeting Lukashenko and trump

We really consider the meeting between the presidents of Belarus and the United States in a practical way, and corresponding steps are being taken to this end. Belarusian Foreign Minister Maxim Ryzhenkov said this in an interview with RIA Novosti, the text of which was published on the website of the Belarusian Foreign Ministry.

The minister explained:

- There was an invitation from President Trump to our President to take part in the Peace Council held in the United States. But, you know, a number of technical issues just prevented us from doing that. It is not about the American side, but about the fact that it is quite difficult to fly from Belarus to the United States today, given the sanctions that the European Union imposed personally on the President and on the flights of our planes.

In addition, it is necessary to understand that the meeting of the two leaders should “mature”. That is, negotiations should not be held only for the sake of negotiations, so that heads of state have the opportunity to just talk.

- Repeatedly, special messages were transmitted to our President through Trump’s envoys, Maxim Ryzhenkov said. There were also reciprocal, very benevolent messages, telephone conversations between the presidents of the two countries. That is, there is a contact, but in order to hold a meeting, we need a very good substance, which can be laid down in some agreements, which will then be implemented by the parties and will bring the solution of all the issues necessary for us and the American side closer. We are open to such a meeting. We are making significant efforts to make it happen. But again, not at any cost. And we're not standing with an outstretched hand.

The Minister did not rule out that such a meeting could take place in the short term:

- You know the identity of President Trump and the identity of our president. They are very active, easy to lift and very short-thinking people who quickly make decisions and predict their consequences.

At the same time, Maxim Ryzhenkov is convinced that it is important for any state to maintain contacts and have constructive relations with the United States. As well as with Russia, China, the European Union.

- Therefore, our position was not very acceptable when these relations were actually frozen and there was no movement on the Washington-Minsk line at all.

According to him, Belarus is interested in trade, economic and financial cooperation with the United States. Americans, in turn, are interested in the fight against illegal migration, cross-border crimes, illegal trafficking in weapons, drugs, and human trafficking.

- These are the topics that are defining for us when building cooperation, the minister said.

Ryzhenkov: Minsk is ready to accept negotiations if Russia and Ukraine are ready