Shautsou: meeting in Minsk means lifting diplomatic sanctions against Belarus

Meeting in Minsk of the presidents of Ukraine, Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan and the EU High Representative led by the head of European diplomacy, Catherine Ashton, will open for Belarus the next level of diplomatic contacts with neighboring countries. This is what Belarusian political analyst Yury Shautsou told Euroradio during an interview. 

Yury Shautsou: "It's a de facto lifting of diplomatic sanctions against Belarus. When there are open possibilities of such contacts, then there will be an opportunity for projects of this level. But in my opinion neither of the parties in Ukraine is ready for peace. Therefore, I doubt that this kind of meeting will be effective. But diplomatic talk is in itself good."

It should be recalled that on August 26 in Minsk there will be a meeting of the presidents of Ukraine, Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, as well as of three representatives of the European Commission: head of European diplomacy Catherine Ashton, EU Energy Commissioner Guenther Oettinger and EU Commissioner for Trade Karel De Gucht.