Why does Belarus provide no humanitarian aid to Ukraine?

Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Ukraine today is happy with any help. 

"Our president has taken the initiative, the so-called International Assistance Mission. As part of this mission, many countries, including the ones from EU, have helped. This is not only a humanitarian but also financial assistance," said Yevgeny Perebiiniz, head of the Ukraine MFA press service.

Only from Belarus we have received nothing. 

We did not turn specifically to a certain country, but would welcome any help. We are open," says Yevgeny Perebiiniz. 

The Foreign Ministry of Belarus told Euroradio that this should be dealt with by the Council of Ministers. And nobody knows anything about humanitarian aid to Ukrainians there. 

"You have to understand that if there was such news, we would have published it yourself. Perhaps to provide humanitarian assistance to Ukraine, we need to have a decision from even higher," I was told in the Council of Ministers. 

Even "higher", at the press service of the head of state, I was told that they have nothing to do with the issue, it shouldn't be addressed to them. 

By the way, the President of Kazakhstan Nursultan Nazarbayev said in Minsk that Kazakhstan is ready to assist Ukraine. 

"Ukraine needs help, and Astana is ready to provide it," said Nazarbayev  at a meeting of the Presidents in Minsk. 

But since then there have been no progress. When asked by Euroradio about the humanitarian assistance promised by the president, the Press Service of Kazakhstan MFA asked to send them an official request. 

"We have heard about it, but we do not know what has been done at the official level. Wait a few days, we will answer this question," said the Foreign Ministry of Kazakhstan.

Meanwhile on September 9 in Minsk a charity event "We love Ukrainian borsch" will take place. Borsch will be cooked by Belarusian director Volga Nikalaichyk. The funds collected at the  event will be sent to Ukrainian wounded. 

Belarusian Red Cross is conducting a campaign to collect humanitarian aid for Ukrainians. People collect things and stationery for Ukrainian refugees who came to Belarus. 

"We have been doing it for a while now. We need everything, including children's stationery. Because children went to school. Our schools accept children even without documents. Gomel holds its own campaign for Ukrainians, who are now living in Gomel, we have our own - for Ukrainians in Minsk. People respond very well," said the Belarusian Red Cross. They have not heard anything about the collection of humanitarian aid to Ukraine here. 

"Everything that you do not need, but in good condition, you can bring to us. We will be glad,"  we were told at the Red Cross.