The Ukrainian Foreign Ministry insisted Wednesday on the urgent release of two Ukrainians detained during protests in the Belarussian capital of Minsk after the country's presidential elections.



"The Ukrainian side has once again expressed its deep concerns as two citizens of Ukraine are still under arrest," the ministry said in a statement.



Belarusian Ambassador to Ukraine Valentin Velichko attended the Ukrainian foreign ministry over the issue, according to the ministry.



Ukraine's Deputy Foreign Minister Ruslan Demchenko stressed at the meeting that "such actions of the Belarusian side do not meet the spirit of friendly bilateral relations."



"Their further stay in prison would harm bilateral relations," Demchenko said, adding he hoped the detained Ukrainians could spend their New Year's holidays at home.



Velichko said he would immediately inform Minsk of Ukraine's position on the issue.



According to Ukraine's foreign ministry, two Ukrainians were detained in Minsk during clashes between police and protesters last week.



Source: Xinhua