Kiev recalled its ambassador for consultations

Such decision followed “frank” statements made by Aliaksandr Lukashenka on March 23.

Ukraine’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has called Mikhail Yezhel, Ukraine’s Ambassador to Belarus, for consultations. 

Ukraine also sent a diplomatic note to the Belarusian side. It reads that the Belarusian leader’s statements do not conform with the international law and the stance of most countries which condemned Russia’s acts while annexing Crimea, Yevhen Perebyinis, spokesman for the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry, said at the briefing on March 24, Belsat reports.

Let us recall that on March 23 Aliaksandr Lukashenka stated that ““Crimea, just like Ossetia, Abkhazia and other regions, is not an independent state”. “Today Crimea is part of the Russian Federation. No matter whether you recognize it or not, the fact remains.” 

Belarusan President emphasized yet again that “nobody demands that Belarus should recognize Crimea and support Russia or make a stand against it”. “I will tell you honestly: nobody demands it from me and from our government, from the Foreign Ministry,” Belarusan President said. 

“I think the situation will develop the same way de-facto. Whether Crimea will be recognized as a region of the Russian Federation de-jure does not really matter. Everybody recognizes Russia”, - Lukashenka said.